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Published on: Apr 05, 2020
3 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Ventilators, When Breathing Is Not Enough For Covid-19 Patients!

Ventilators. A device few had heard of before the pandemic.

This life saving machine is desperately sought after by hospitals around the world. COVID patients with the most severe symptoms require ventilator support to survive and recover. But what is this machine? And what does it actually do?

THE BASICS

Breathing is a simple task, one that we do not think about. When we breathe our chest expands, and air is pulled into our lungs. Here oxygen is exchanged into the blood and transported by the pumping heart throughout the body. In our cells the oxygen is used to release energy from our food, and drive every process and reaction that keeps us alive and functioning.

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. Its symptoms include a dry cough, fever, feeling tired and more. In most patients the disease is mild. However some suffer from severe disease, causing havoc in their lungs. It can cause viral pneumonia in both of the patients lungs, which reduces the amount of lung able to bring in oxygen to the lung. The patient’s respiratory rate increases, as they struggle to draw in oxygen.

If a person is struggling to breathe on room air doctors can provide them extra oxygen. This is given through a mask they wear on their face. Normal air only has 21% oxygen, but in hospitals it is possible to give air that is 100% oxygen. This means more oxygen reaches the blood, and the patient has to put in less effort to breathe to get the same amount of oxygen to their cells.

In severe cases it can cause widespread inflammation in the lungs, causing fluid to build up and making breathing harder and more laborious. The patient can become tired having to breathe quicker and harder, and this is when doctors look to intensive care specialists and ventilator support.

VENTILATION

If a person is unable to breathe for themselves, it is possible to do this manually or mechanically. Specialists can insert a tube into the mouth of an unconscious patient that enters their windpipe. A bag pump can be attached to this, which a doctor can squeeze to push air into the patient’s lungs. But a person cannot continuously squeeze this bag to keep ventilating someone, as this is time consuming and tiring.

Ventilators are composed of a compressible reservoir or turbine that can push air into the patients lungs. Unlike regular pumps that continuously push air or water, ventilators have to mimic how we breathe. We inspire air in, then expire air out. Ventilators achieve this by pushing in air for a few seconds, inflating the lungs, then releasing the pressure. The natural elasticity of the patients ribs and lungs squeezes the excess air out, mimicking exhalation.

Modern ventilators are very smart, and have many configurable settings. They can be set to deliver defined quantities of air, change the rate of breathing and other advanced settings.

Hospitals regularly use ventilators for patients who are struggling to breathe, patients who are in a coma and have lost the ability to breathe, and also for anaesthetised patients in operating theatres. During the pandemic hospitals are cancelling unnecessary or non-emergency operations, redistributing these ventilators to be used for COVID patients instead.

MAKE MORE VENTS

It is estimated that up to 30% of patients that are admitted to hospital require ventilators. Most hospitals across the world do not have enough ventilators because they have never needed to ventilate so many patients. Governments have recruited the help of manufacturing companies to ramp up production of ventilators. In the UK F1 teams, military aircraft constructors and hoover manufacturers have all taken up the challenge and repurposed their factories.

There have also been innovations to create new ventilator designs that are cheap and easy to produce. This often involves off-the-shelf equipment that is already present in hospitals, and 3D printed parts. Such machines often do not require electricity or circuit board electronics, and can even be powered by the high pressure oxygen flowing from gas canisters or hospital walls.

- University College Dublin: https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/19/open-source-project-spins-up-3d-printed-ventilator-validation-prototype-in-just-one-week/ ventilator prototype

- University of Oxford: http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-03-31-ventilator-project-oxvent-gets-green-light-uk-government-proceed-next-stage-testing Ventilator project

NEVER A SIMPLE SOLUTION

But as always its not always this simple. Ventilators are complex machines requiring specialist training to function and maintain, as ventilation and respiratory physiology is quite complicated. Ventilators will be of limited use if hospitals do not have enough staff trained to use them safely.

Ventilators are not without risk either. Because they push air into the lung, continuous use, excessive pressures and improper use can cause some damage to the delicate anatomy inside the lung, causing problems in itself. The plastic tube can also be a source of infection. Some hospitals that have had a sharp increase in ventilated patients have encountered problems supplying all their patients with pressurised oxygen. The patient load is overwhelming their infrastructure.

Unfortunately like most things in medicine, ventilators are not a magic cure. Due to the shortage of ventilators not everyone who needs one is able to get it. Most patients who end up needing ventilation are severely ill. The longer a person is on a ventilator the less likely they are to survive. This means that current mortality is rather high.

As more ventilators become available this treatment may become available to those with less severe symptoms, who are more likely to survive especially with this extra help. It is difficult to make these predictions because so many different variables can have an effect. For now we will have to wait and see.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?

The best way to help in these situations is by not catching the virus. This is especially true for those who are elderly, have diabetes, cardiovascular issues or lung diseases. These high-risk patients are more likely to have more serious symptoms, requiring hospitalization. This is why so many countries have enforced lockdown measures. The fewer that are infected, the fewer that need ventilation.

If you do need to leave the house, always follow the following procedures:

- Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap or alcohol

- Wear a mask outside: This is now official WHO policy

- If you need to cough or sneeze do so into your arm or a tissue

- Only leave the house for essential activities, shopping or to visit the doctor.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, Chief Product Officer & President, Second Medic UK

www.secondmedic.com

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Healthcare Predictive Analytics India: The Future of Data-Driven Preventive Health

Indian healthcare is experiencing a major transformation as data analytics and artificial intelligence become integral to medical decision-making. Healthcare predictive analytics uses advanced algorithms to analyze medical data, lifestyle patterns, and population health trends to identify risks long before symptoms appear. This shift toward prediction rather than reaction is helping India build a stronger, more preventive healthcare ecosystem.

Predictive analytics supports early diagnosis, reduces medical complications, improves treatment outcomes, and lowers healthcare costs. As India faces rising chronic diseases, urban lifestyle pressures, and limited specialist availability, predictive healthcare has become essential for timely and accurate care. SecondMedic integrates predictive analytics into its digital health platform, enabling individuals and clinicians to make proactive health decisions.

Why Predictive Analytics Matters in India’s Healthcare Landscape

India has one of the highest global burdens of chronic diseases. According to ICMR, non-communicable diseases account for over 60 percent of total deaths in the country. Many of these illnesses develop silently, making early detection difficult without advanced tools.

Predictive analytics helps change this by identifying patterns and generating early risk signals. Key factors driving its adoption include:

Growth of digital medical records
Widespread use of wearables and health trackers
Increased testing and diagnostic data availability
Government-supported digital health initiatives
Higher patient expectations for personalized care

With these enablers in place, predictive analytics is moving from research to everyday clinical use.

How Predictive Analytics Works in Healthcare

Predictive analytics draws from a wide range of data sources to generate meaningful insights. These insights help forecast risks, detect abnormalities, and recommend preventive actions.

Data sources used include:

Electronic medical records
Lab test results
Vital signs and biometric data
Wearable device data
Lifestyle and nutrition patterns
Family and genetic factors
Population health statistics

AI algorithms analyze this data to identify trends that may indicate early risk.

Early Disease Detection Through Predictive Models

One of the most valuable applications of predictive analytics is early detection. Many chronic diseases show minor biological changes long before symptoms appear. Predictive models can analyze these subtle indicators and alert patients and doctors early.

Predictive analytics can help detect:

Diabetes risk and prediabetes
Hypertension and cardiovascular risk
Thyroid dysfunction
Chronic kidney disease
Mental health patterns
Sleep disorders
Respiratory illness likelihood

SecondMedic’s predictive tools evaluate these risk markers and create personalized alerts.

Predictive Analytics for Chronic Disease Management

Chronic conditions require ongoing care, monitoring, and timely intervention. Predictive analytics enhances chronic disease management by identifying when a condition may worsen or require immediate attention.

Predictive tools help with:

Monitoring health trends continuously
Detecting early warning signs
Reducing emergency hospitalizations
Recommending medication adjustments
Forecasting disease progression
Tracking lifestyle impact

SecondMedic integrates these insights with remote monitoring devices to support long-term chronic care.

Personalized Preventive Care Using Predictive Models

Preventive care becomes more precise with predictive analytics. Instead of generalized recommendations, individuals receive personalized plans based on their specific risks and lifestyle patterns.

Predictive analytics supports personalized care by:

Creating customized screening schedules
Suggesting targeted lifestyle improvements
Recommending personalized diet and exercise routines
Providing sleep and stress insights
Helping individuals avoid long-term complications

SecondMedic uses these data-backed insights to deliver tailored preventive plans for each user.

AI-Driven Risk Scoring and Health Forecasting

AI risk scoring is a core part of predictive healthcare. These scores reflect a person’s likelihood of developing certain conditions within a specific timeframe. They help users understand their health trajectory and take necessary steps early.

Risk scores are generated using:

Blood tests
Vitals
Daily activity patterns
Family health history
Behavioral trends
Environmental factors

SecondMedic offers AI-based risk scores that help individuals track their health over time and make informed decisions.

Predictive Analytics for Mental Health and Lifestyle Patterns

Predictive analytics is increasingly used to understand mental health indicators such as stress, burnout, depression risk, or sleep disturbances. Wearables and digital behavior analysis provide a large amount of data for predicting emotional wellbeing.

Predictive models can analyze:

Sleep patterns
Heart rate variability
Stress markers
Digital behavior patterns
Lifestyle routines

SecondMedic integrates these insights into its wellness programs to support mental and emotional wellbeing.

Improving Population Health with Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics is not limited to individual care. It also plays a critical role in public health planning. By identifying disease clusters, risk trends, and healthcare needs, predictive models help governments and hospitals prepare better.

Population-level benefits include:

Identifying outbreaks early
Predicting disease burden
Allocating healthcare resources effectively
Planning community health programs
Improving screening recommendations

SecondMedic works toward making population health analytics accessible to organizations and communities.

Predictive Analytics and the Future of Indian Healthcare

In the coming years, predictive analytics will be integrated into most healthcare systems and digital platforms. India is moving toward a future where early risk detection becomes standard practice.

Future trends include:

AI-driven clinical decision support
Predictive genomics
Precision nutrition and metabolism modeling
Hospital predictive workflow systems
Predictive triaging for emergency care
Integration with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Nationwide predictive health screening programs

SecondMedic aims to remain at the forefront of this transformation by developing advanced predictive tools for both clinical and personal use.

Conclusion

Healthcare predictive analytics in India is reshaping how diseases are detected, managed, and prevented. By leveraging AI, big data, and continuous monitoring, predictive healthcare empowers individuals to act early and avoid complications. SecondMedic integrates these advanced tools into a unified digital health ecosystem, offering personalized risk scoring, early alerts, and precise preventive care.

To explore predictive health tools and preventive care programs, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

NITI Aayog – Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare India
ICMR – Chronic Disease Burden Report 2024
IMARC – Healthcare Analytics Market India 2025
WHO – Predictive Health Analytics Standards
FICCI – AI and Healthcare Innovation India Report

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