What does the acronym DOPES stand for in relation to ventilator alarms?

The acronym DOPES serves as a mnemonic device to help healthcare professionals quickly identify and troubleshoot common causes of ventilator alarms, particularly in critical care scenarios. The terms represented by DOPES—Dislodged, Obstructed, Pneumothorax, Equipment, and Stacked Breaths—cover a range of issues that can affect patient ventilation.

• "Dislodged" refers to the possibility that the patient's airway might have become displaced, which could occur if the endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy tube has shifted out of place.
• "Obstructed" highlights that there may be a blockage in the airway or within the ventilator circuit, which prevents adequate airflow and leads to alarms being triggered.
• "Pneumothorax" indicates that there could be an accumulation of air in the pleural space, which can compromise ventilation and provoke alarms.
• "Equipment" addresses issues related to the ventilator or its components, such as connection problems or malfunctioning parts that hinder proper operation.
• "Stacked Breaths" refers to a situation where the ventilator is delivering breaths too rapidly or where the patient is attempting to breathe in addition to the ventilator, leading to a conflict in breathing patterns