ECRI, a nonprofit health services research agency, recently published its ratings for 10 ventilators designed for use in hospital intensive care (IC) units. The article in the April 2006 issue of Health Devices features the group's product testing results.

The article provides complete product profiles for four newly tested models and updated findings for six previously tested models. Brands examined include Draeger Medical, Hamilton Medical, Maquet, Puritan Bennett, Respironics and Viasys.

The study offers purchasing strategies and identifies product aspects related to alarms and safety mechanisms, usability, cost-effectiveness and device features and capabilities. ECRI also suggests that customers factor in hospital-specific needs and clinician preferences when choosing a device.