Ventilator Care at Murray Creek
Individuals may need breathing support following surgery, an illness, or an injury. In some cases, these individuals may need mechanical ventilation to get enough oxygen. Individuals receiving ventilator care need expert medical care from doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists.
Monument Health’s Murray Creek skilled nursing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, provides expert ventilator care for residents needing breathing support. Residents requiring ventilator care may receive medical and personal care services through our residential programs, which include the following:
- Long-term skilled nursing care
- Post-hospital and post-surgical care
- Post-traumatic injury care
- Ventilator care
Murray Creek’s team of highly trained doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists provide exceptional care for residents with varied and complex medical needs, including expert ventilator care.
What Is Ventilator Care, and Who Needs It?
Individuals who need breathing support to get enough oxygen may receive ventilator care. There are many reasons a person may need ventilator care, including the following:
- Illnesses, including the following:
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- COVID-19
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy
- Pneumonia
- Injuries, including the following:
- Brain injury
- Chest, spine, or neck trauma
- Medical emergencies, including the following:
- Cardiac arrest
- Collapsed lung
- Coma
- Drug overdose
- Sepsis
- Stroke
- Surgery
Being put on a ventilator involves intubation, which means a tube is inserted through the mouth. The tube goes down through the person’s throat and into the trachea. The tube’s purpose is to maintain an open airway to ensure the person receives enough oxygen.
The tube prevents ventilator patients from speaking. Being connected to machines and monitors requires intubated patients to stay in bed while receiving ventilator care.
How Does Ventilator Care Work in a Skilled Nursing Setting?
The respiratory therapists and nurses at our skilled nursing facility monitor residents receiving ventilator care. Our care teams ensure residents on ventilators have their heads slightly elevated and that the intubation tubes are correctly placed to keep their airways open.
In addition to checking the tube and head positions, respiratory therapists and nurses regularly check the following:
- Blood oxygen levels
- Lung sounds
- Vital signs
Our staff helps prevent residents receiving ventilator care from developing complications, such as hypoxemia, by ensuring blood oxygen levels remain sufficient.
How Does Monument Health Help Patients Stay Comfortable While on a Ventilator?
Monument Health’s Murray Creek care team includes respiratory therapists, nurses, and doctors who work together to ensure each resident’s comfort and expert ventilator care. Our team follows a customized care plan, prescribing appropriate pain medications and therapy.
As noted, our care team checks tube placement, head position, vital signs, and blood oxygen levels to ensure the ventilator delivers enough oxygen and the resident’s comfort.
Can Patients Transition Off a Ventilator While at Murray Creek?
Residents can transition off a ventilator at our skilled nursing facility. Our care team includes highly trained, registered, and licensed medical professionals who are experts in ventilator care, and they monitor each resident’s progress. When ready to begin the weaning process, respiratory therapists use exercises to help individuals who’ve had their tube extubated strengthen their breathing muscles. They also ensure that individuals can cough safely without aspiration.
Additionally, Murray Creek’s speech therapists provide expert care after an individual is taken off a ventilator. Since intubation prevents speech, individuals benefit from performing customized exercises to help them rebuild the muscles in their tongue, throat, and mouth.
These muscles are needed for speech, and they’re also essential for swallowing. Speech therapists work with post-extubation residents to help them swallow safely, which prevents aspiration.
What Role Does Long-Term Rehabilitation Play for Ventilator-Dependent Patients?
Long-term skilled nursing care ensures every resident on a ventilator receives excellent personal and medical care that promotes their recovery. Our personal care professionals ensure these residents are bathed and repositioned, preventing bed sores and ensuring their comfort.
Our care team also ensures that ventilator-dependent patients receive sufficient essential nutrients daily and monitor their progress.
Additionally, respiratory therapists help prepare ventilator-dependent residents for extubation and work with them to ensure they can breathe independently after extubation.
Then, speech therapists help residents strengthen the muscles needed for eating, drinking, and speaking. They also use exercises to help residents swallow safely after extubation.
Ventilator Care at Monument Health in Murray Creek
Monument Health’s Murray Creek skilled nursing facility is close to downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, in the southeastern part of the city. Our Murray Creek facility is near St. Mark’s Hospital, which means individuals at the hospital can be quickly transferred to Murray Creek to receive ventilator care in a comfortable environment.
Our care teams create custom plans for each resident, prioritizing their medical and personal needs and treatment goals. We also work openly with residents’ families, ensuring they’re aware of the treatments and understand how to support their loved one’s care.
Lastly, our care teams prioritize respect for our residents and ensure they receive the highest level of personal and medical care while residing at Murray Creek.
Sources:
Iftikhar, N. (2021). What Is a Ventilator and When Is It Needed?
Mechanical Ventilation. (2024).
St. Mark’s Hospital. (2026).
3855 S 700 E. (2026).