The Life Critical System: How a Manufacturer Ensures the Reliability of a Breathing Machine

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One of the most common concerns patients have about using a breathing machine is its reliability. Users and family members crave assurance that such a system will perform even during loss of electrical power. This is especially important to those who have hospitalized family members who rely on a breathing machine to keep them alive.

A breathing machine is any device which is used to mechanically move air into and out of the lungs. This device literally takes breaths for patients who are physically incapable of doing it themselves.

Most people think of a "breathing machine" as a complicated, digitized device. Indeed, modern breathing machines are marvelous, computerized machines that can perform complex tasks to exact specifications. They are fully programmable and customizable to any given set of conditions.

However, anything that performs the task of taking breaths also falls under this definition. This includes the "primitive," simple bag valve mask.

The bag valve mask is exactly what it sounds like: a heavy plastic bag attached to a face mask. A valve allows for passage of air in and out of the bag. The bag is operated by squeezing it, literally, by hand.

The bag valve mask is often used in mass emergency situations during a disaster. Bag valve masks can be transported by the hundreds right to the site of a disaster.

No power supply is needed, and no specialized training is required to administer the bag valve mask. This type of breathing "machine" was used on scores of patients during disasters like 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

Obviously it would be highly impractical, inefficient and downright dangerous to rely solely on bag valve masks to sustain the lives of hospitalized patients. This is why hospitals rely on complex digital breathing machines.

They have two major uses in hospitals. One is for helping an anesthetized patient to breathe during surgery. The other is to treat patients whose bodies, for various reasons (such as respiratory failure), cannot perform the movements necessary for breathing.

These devices literally keep patients alive, and therefore must be absolutely guaranteed to perform. They must be capable of running under the most adverse of circumstances, including an extended power failure. Therefore, the breathing machine is classified as a "life critical system."

A "life critical system" is defined as any system whose failure would lead to death or serious injury to a patient, serious equipment damage or environmental harm. Life critical systems are not limited to medical or anesthesia supplies. They include a range of systems from circuit breakers and fire sprinklers all the way to nuclear reactors.

Manufacturers of life critical systems must engineer such systems in a manner that renders them virtually fail safe. It means anticipating every possible event that could cause the system to fail and putting aversion methods in place.

It also means putting systems in place that will override potential emergency situations. Some of these situations include temporary or long term loss of power and computer malfunctions.

Another measure that is used to ensure a patient's safety while on a breathing machine is an alarm function. Alarms notify caregivers whenever a potential danger situation is encountered, such as a cut to power. The alarm notifies caregivers that a switch is being made from electrical to battery power.

These are all intrinsic measures. Extrinsic measures are also employed when using a life critical system like a breathing machine. Such measures include a protocol regarding supervision by medical personnel while a patient is on the system. For example, an anesthesiologist must be present and monitoring a patient at all times while on a breathing machine during surgery.

Jessie Flesner is a freelance writer in New Albany, Indiana. She writes widely about the health care industry with a concentration in the surgical field. She is an expert at procuring anesthesia supplies and breathing machine solutions.

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How Strong Is Your Immune System?

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How many of these drugs are you taking on a regular basis?

Cold medicineAntibioticsAspirinAllergy medications

Far too many people are living with a vulnerable immune system that cannot successfully defend itself from diseases and sicknesses. Did you know that your immune system has the inborn capability to protect itself from ill health? When your body is healthy and fit, your immune system has the ability to defend itself against millions of toxins, bacteria, parasites, and viruses. So why are so many people these days, including yourself, turning to man-made, chemical-filled drugs to perform the natural functions of a healthy body?

What Is Inside That Medication?

Go and take some time to actually read through the ingredients on the medicines that are filling your medicine cabinet. Without a doubt, you will find a long list of words that are unpronounceable and most likely completely foreign to your knowledge. Although they may sound scientific, if you're not sure what any of the words mean, then you are still at a loss with understanding just what is inside of those pills you are taking.

The bottom line is that most medications can and will cause unfavorable side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, drowsiness, nausea, liver damage, and dizziness, to name a few.

Staying hydrated, and improving your immune system naturally is a totally safe way to help you avoid sickness and poor health. You will probably be surprised at how simple it really is to boost your immune system and thwart sickness for good.

Exercise regularlyDrink alcohol only in moderationGet plenty of sleepDon't smokeEat a healthy diet, high in vegetables, whole grains, and fruitsDrink pure, clean water every day

In order to drink truly clean water, you will have to stop yourself from running out and buying bottled waters and average water filters that really are not doing much of anything. Bottled and tap water can contain contaminants, toxins, and unregulated chemicals--these should not be entering your body when attempting to boost your immune system! Why spend all of this money on bottled water or a sub-par filter for your tap water, when neither one of these things will give you the results that your body needs?

The only way you will achieve a great immune system by drinking the best water, is by drinking clean, ionized, alkaline water. By drinking this water every day as a part of your new regimen, your immune system will benefit from it and you will not only see results, you'll feel the results. And that is the most important thing. You'll be amazed with the changes.

Stop relying on man-made medications to do a job that your immune system is perfectly capable of doing itself! Visit The Wonder Water Story now for much more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mandy_Lauth

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Introduction to the Female Reproductive System

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While the word vagina is often used colloquially to refer to the vulva or external organs of a woman, technically speaking, the vagina is actually the internal structure of a woman's reproductive system. The vagina has several biological functions, mainly for uterine secretions, sexual activity, and childbirth. Many women undergo painless hair removal in order to remove pubic hair from the vulva.

The vagina is an elastic muscular canal that extends from the inner cervix of the uterus to the outer vulva region. Moreover, the elasticity of the vagina allows it to expand during sexual intercourse and during childbirth. The vagina and the interior of the vulva is reddish pink in color. Vaginal lubrication is provided by special glands near the vaginal opening and the cervix. The vaginal membranes also produce moisture, and the cervix's mucus glands secrete mucus before and during ovulation.

The highly sensitive nerve endings near the entrance of a woman's vagina can provide pleasurable sensations during sexual intercourse. When a woman is sexually aroused, or if her clitoris is stimulated, the walls of the vagina will self-lubricate. When it is aroused, the vagina lengthens rapidly to an average of about 4 inches but can continue to lengthen in response to gentle pressure.

The female erogenous zone is concentrated in the G-spot, which is about five centimeters from the entrance to the vagina. Some women experience intense sexual pleasure if their G-spots are stimulated during sexual intercourse. The vagina is also the channel used to deliver an infant from the uterus to its independent life outside the mother during childbirth. Women can improve their vaginal health by washing the urethra and clitoris area, and by undergoing painless bikini waxing to remove pubic hair.

Physicians advise women to wash their genitals at least 20 minutes after sexual intercourse. After a woman washes her vagina, she should immediately dry it with a cloth as wet areas promote bacterial growth. Moreover, when woman are menstruating, they are advised to change their tampons every 3 to 4 hours when it becomes moist. Women are also advised not to wear a tampon for more than 8 hours as this may lead to infections.

If a tampon is left inside the vagina for more than 24 hours, a bad smell starts to emanate. If this happens, women should not douche, as this can cause the bacteria breeding in the vagina to travel up higher, which can lead to a pelvic inflammatory infection. Regular painless hair removal of the pubic hair around the vulva will also prevent the vagina from emanating foul smells.

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