What does "Ventilator dependent" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.
"Ventilator dependent" refers to a person's need for a machine to help them breathe. This is usually because their lungs or other parts of their body that control breathing are not working properly. The machine, called a ventilator, takes over the work of breathing for them. This can be a temporary or permanent situation, depending on the person's health condition.
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