What is the most crucial feature a transport ventilator must have during patient transport?

A disconnect alarm is vital for a transport ventilator as it alerts healthcare providers if there's any interruption in the ventilatory support being provided to the patient. During transport, patients are at higher risk for disconnections due to movement or changes in position. The alarm serves as an immediate warning to take necessary actions, ensuring that the patient's ventilation is continuously monitored and maintained. This feature is crucial for preventing hypoxia and other complications that can occur if a patient inadvertently becomes disconnected from the ventilator.

While battery operation is important for mobility and pressure support mode can enhance ventilation by assisting with spontaneous breaths, the immediate detection of a disconnect is essential for patient safety. Return tidal volume reporting is beneficial for assessing ventilatory effectiveness but does not provide the same level of immediate safety assurance as a disconnect alarm does during transport.