Heated humidifier

Heated humidifiers are for children who use a ventilator attached to a tracheostomy tube.

How does a heated humidifier work?

The air from the ventilator passes over heated water to become warmed and humidified before it enters your child’s lungs.

A heated humidifier for a ventilator

How to assemble a heated humidifier circuit

Before you start

Gather your equipment and supplies:

• sterile, distilled water​
• water chamber
• heated humidifier (F&P MR 850)
• ventilator and circuit (for example, Trilogy).

Assembling a heated humidifier circuit

1. Wash your hands.
2. Fill the water chamber with sterile distilled water.
3. Slide the humidification chamber onto the base of the heated humidifier.
4. Connect the bacterial filter to the outlet of the ventilator.
5. Connect one side of the short ventilator tubing to the antibacterial filter.
6. Connect the other side of the short tubing to one of the tubing connections on the water chamber.
7. Connect one side of the long tubing to the other connection on the water chamber.
8. Connect the other side of the long tubing to your child's tracheostomy adaptor.
9. Turn on the humidifier, making sure that it is on the “invasive” mode at 37° C.

How to maintain a heated humidifier

As needed

• When it is dirty, clean the humidifier with a clean damp cloth and either isopropyl alcohol or dishwashing liquid.
• Replace the water chamber when it has a crack.

Daily

• Empty the water chamber if using it only at night.

Every six months

• Check the temperature probe for physical damage.

Every year

• Check the temperature cables for damage. Replace if necessary.
• Check the heater plate for deep scratching. Replace if necessary.
• Check the heater wire adaptors for damage. Replace if necessary.