Ventilation in a hospital refers to the use of a medical ventilator, which is a machine that helps a patient breathe when they cannot breathe adequately on their own. A ventilator can be a lifesaving machine if a patient has a condition that makes it hard for them to breathe properly. The machine uses positive pressure to force air into the lungs, which can be done through a fitted mask or a breathing tube. A doctor or respiratory therapist will control how much oxygen is pushed into the patients lungs by the ventilator. Ventilators are most often used in hospital settings, particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU) for patients who cannot breathe on their own. Patients may require ventilation if they are experiencing respiratory failure due to various injuries and conditions. The use of a ventilator involves some risks, particularly mechanical ventilation, and the longer a person requires mechanical ventilation, the higher the risks.