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Accuracy of Drager and Wright ventilation meters
Respiratory Care
|August 10, 1978
Summary
Mechanical ventilation meters like the Drager Volumeter and Wright Respirometer show inaccuracies, particularly at lower flow rates. While adequate for continuous monitoring, their precision may be insufficient for bedside spirometry.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Simple mechanical ventilation meters are commonly used for bedside monitoring.
- Assessing the accuracy of these devices is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of the Drager Volumeter and Wright Respirometer.
- To determine the suitability of these devices for continuous mechanical ventilation versus bedside spirometry.
Main Methods:
- Tested 16 mechanical ventilation meters (Drager Volumeter and Wright Respirometer).
- Measured volume at various fixed flow rates (6-120+ l/min).
- Analyzed accuracy, systematic underestimation, and variability.
Main Results:
- Both devices exhibited similar inaccuracy patterns.
- Used units showed greatest deviation and variability at lower flow rates (underestimating by ~15%).
- New Drager Volumeter was accurate; new Wright Respirometer showed typical inaccuracies. High flow rates (>120 l/min) caused mechanism locking.
Conclusions:
- These ventilation meters are satisfactory for monitoring patients on continuous mechanical ventilation.
- Their accuracy may be insufficient for precise bedside spirometry assessments.