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Home ventilation

Treatment for patients who cannot breathe on their own or not deeply enough, for example due to a neuromuscular disorder, obesity, a body deformity (particularly of the spine or chest), or a congenital condition (mainly in children).
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How does home ventilation work?

A home ventilation device resembles a CPAP device but provides a different pressure for inhaling and exhaling. It is usually also slightly larger. The same masks are used as for CPAP therapy, and the maintenance and use are similar.

There are three levels of home ventilation:

  • Night-time only
  • During the night and at certain times during the day
  • Continuous, day and night

The cough function and removal of sputum (mucus) may also be impaired. In that case, the patient will also be given a cough-assist device or a suction device.

Start of the treatment

Diagnosis and titration (adjustment of the device) for home ventilation are carried out in the same way as for CPAP therapy. However, for titration, the patient stays several consecutive nights in hospital.

Most patients cannot carry out home ventilation on their own and are therefore dependent on their partner, parent or another caregiver. To familiarise the caregiver with the therapy, we strongly recommend that they stay overnight (rooming-in) during the hospital stay to start the treatment.

Further follow-up

For follow-up, the patient returns at scheduled times either for an overnight stay or a daytime check-up.

Use and maintenance of the equipment

Click below for more detailed information on the use and maintenance of the different devices.

The ventilator

The suction device, tracheal cannula and oxygen therapy

Overview of equipment

Equipment provided by the hospital upon discharge

  • Ventilation device + humidifier (+ connector for oxygen delivery via the device if needed)
  • Two sets of tubing systems with accessories
  • Suction device + spare suction tubing
  • Suction probes
  • Ventilation bag (if 24/24 ventilation)
  • Spare cap for the cannula
  • Spare inner cannula or spare mask

Equipment you purchase yourself

  • At the pharmacy:
    • Oxygen cylinders
    • Oxygen tubing
    • HAC solution
    • Tweezers
    • Gauze pads
    • Oxygen nasal cannula or mask
  • At the supermarket:
    • Water for the humidifier
    • Stainless steel bowls
    • Cannula strap
  • At a DIY store:
    • Tubing for the suction device
    • Pressure gauge

Overview of daily and weekly maintenance

  • Daily:

    • New gauze pad around the cannula
    • Clean the inner cannula
    • Refill the humidifier’s reservoir with water
    • Empty and clean the suction jar

  • Once a week:

    • Fully clean the tubing system and the humidifier’s reservoir
    • Boil the stainless steel bowls and tweezers
    • Clean the exterior of the ventilation device with a damp cloth

Manual ventilation (in case of 24/24 ventilation)

For patients who require continuous ventilation, the caregiver or relative is given a ventilation bag to take home. This should be used in case of problems with the ventilation device or during its inspection.

Always place the ventilation bag in a clearly visible and easily accessible location.

How to use the ventilation bag?

  • Attach the bag to the cannula or mask using the same connection as the one used for the ventilator.
  • Squeeze the bag and check whether the chest rises.
  • Give the patient enough time to breathe.
  • Follow the frequency (= number of breaths per minute) set on the device.
  • Do not breathe in too quickly.
  • Provide a sufficiently large volume of oxygen: squeeze the bag fully flat.

Tips

    • Practise occasionally with the ventilation bag. Also check during practice that it is still fully functional.
    • Always remain calm and try to keep the patient calm too.

General tips and tricks

  • Keep the bedroom and all other living areas as dust-free as possible. Ideally, these spaces should be easy to maintain (cleaning with water).
  • Air out the bedroom and other living areas well every day.
  • Ensure there are enough power sockets in easily accessible places.
  • The room should have a comfortable temperature. Avoid temperature fluctuations as much as possible.
  • To keep the humidity at the right level, you can buy a humidifier.
  • Place all care materials and medication on a table that is easy for you to reach.
  • Always keep a list of important phone numbers within reach.
  • A physiotherapist can come to your home on prescription from the doctor.
  • You can rely on home care services for any hygiene-related or nursing care.
Last edit: 5 august 2025