Ventilator Support in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is mechanical ventilation?
A ventilator is a breathing machine. It pushes a measured mix of air and oxygen into the lungs, then lets the lungs empty, many times a minute. It can take over breathing completely, or it can work alongside the patient, adding a push each time they start a breath on their own. The settings are chosen for your relative's lungs and changed through the day as blood tests and monitor readings show how they are coping.
There are two ways of connecting a patient. Invasive ventilation uses a soft plastic tube passed through the mouth into the windpipe, held in place with tape or a tie. Non-invasive ventilation uses a firm mask over the nose and mouth, so the patient stays awake and can remove it briefly to drink or talk. The mask is often tried first, and it is also a common stepping stone once the breathing tube comes out.
The ventilator supports breathing while the underlying illness is treated. It buys time; the treatment of the cause is what brings recovery.
Who needs it
Ventilator support is used when the lungs are too tired, too inflamed or too weak to keep oxygen levels safe, or when a person is too drowsy to protect their own airway. Common reasons include:
- Severe pneumonia or another chest infection
- A severe asthma attack or a flare-up of COPD
- Recovery after major surgery, where breathing support is planned for a short time
- Reduced consciousness from a head injury, stroke, seizure or poisoning
- Serious infection affecting the whole body, which also strains the lungs
Lung conditions behind the need for support are looked after with the Pulmonology team, and placing the breathing tube draws on the same skills described on the airway management page.
What happens
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the breathing tube is placed by an experienced doctor while your relative is given medicines to make them sleepy and comfortable. A chest X-ray usually confirms the tube sits in the right place.
Most patients with a breathing tube receive sedation, a continuous drip of calming and pain-relieving medicines, so the tube feels tolerable and the machine and the patient breathe in step. The team aims for the lightest comfortable level and checks it several times a day.
Your relative will be silent while the tube is in, because it passes between the vocal cords. Their voice returns once it is removed.
Nurses carry out routine care around the clock:
- Mouth care and teeth cleaning, which helps prevent chest infection
- Gentle suction to clear phlegm from the tube
- Turning and repositioning to protect the skin and help the lungs
- Raising the head of the bed slightly
- Eye care and moistening of the lips
Each day the team asks whether support can be reduced. When breathing improves, sedation is lightened, the machine does less of the work, and a breathing trial shows whether the tube can come out. This gradual process is called weaning.
Preparing for it
Ventilation usually begins in a hurry, so the preparation falls to families. A few steps make a real difference:
- Choose one family contact to speak with the doctors and share updates with everyone else.
- Bring a list of your relative's medicines, allergies and past illnesses, including any breathing problems or previous surgery.
- Share any wishes they have expressed about intensive treatment, and any religious or cultural practices the team should respect.
- Write your questions down before each conversation and note the answers.
- Bring small familiar things the staff agree to, such as a photograph or a recording of a family voice.
If close family live abroad, tell the team early so updates can include them. Visiting arrangements are explained by the unit.
Afterwards
When the tube comes out, many people need oxygen through a mask or nasal tubes for a while, and some move on to non-invasive ventilation for extra help. The throat often feels sore and the voice hoarse at first. Swallowing is checked before eating and drinking restart.
Weakness and tiredness are common after time on a ventilator, and some people feel muddled for a few days. Short spells of sitting up and moving, with help, rebuild strength, and specialist physiotherapy is arranged by referral where needed. Talking to your relative, holding a hand and reminding them of the day and the place all help them settle.
If you have questions or notice anything that worries you, speak to the nurse caring for your relative or ask to see the doctor. Once home, contact the hospital on 06 599 7777 if breathlessness returns, and seek emergency help at once for severe difficulty breathing.
Cost and insurance
Ventilator support forms part of intensive care, which most UAE insurance plans cover with notification and ongoing approval as the stay continues. Pre-approval is handled between the hospital and the insurer, though some plans set limits that are worth checking early. The insurance office at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help your family on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Can my relative hear me while they are on a ventilator?
Your relative may well hear you, even when sedated. Speak calmly, say who you are, and tell them where they are and that they are being cared for.
Why can't my relative talk with a breathing tube?
The breathing tube passes between the vocal cords, so air cannot move across them to make sound. Speech usually returns once the tube is removed, though the voice may be hoarse for a while.
What are the risks of mechanical ventilation?
The main risks of mechanical ventilation are a chest infection linked to the breathing tube, known as ventilator-associated pneumonia, muscle weakness from lying still, and delirium, a state of confusion that usually settles with time. Mouth care, positioning, light sedation and early movement are used to reduce these risks, and the team discusses any that apply to your relative.
What is the difference between a ventilator and a mask?
A ventilator connected to a breathing tube can take over breathing fully, while a mask, called non-invasive ventilation, gives each breath a boost while the patient stays awake. The mask is often used before a tube is needed or as a step after it comes out.
How long will my relative need the ventilator?
The time on a ventilator depends on the illness and on how the lungs respond, so the team reviews it daily rather than fixing a date. Asking what would show progress is often more useful than asking for a timeframe.
Is my relative in pain on the ventilator?
Comfort is checked regularly, and pain relief and sedation are given through a drip and adjusted to keep your relative settled. Tell the nurse if you think your relative looks uncomfortable.
What happens if my relative needs treatment the hospital does not provide?
If your relative needs a form of support beyond what the unit offers, the team arranges it with the relevant specialist or organises a safe transfer to a hospital that provides it, and explains the plan to the family.
Does insurance cover ventilator support?
Most UAE insurance plans cover ventilator support as part of intensive care, with notification and ongoing approval during the stay. The insurance office at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help on 06 599 7777.
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