How Much Does a Ventilator Cost?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard reports from across the country and around the world of hospitals experiencing a shortage of ventilators and mechanical ventilation systems. While the high demand for these life-saving medical devices did drive the price up temporarily, as we are getting a better handle on the COVID-19 pandemic, associated costs of ventilators are returning to a more manageable level.

The Cost of Ventilators During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic – the spring of 2020 – states across the U.S. entered into a race of acquiring as many mechanical ventilators as supply and their resources would allow in anticipation of a surge of COVID-19 patients. As a consequence, the price of mechanical ventilators (basic but good devices) shot from an average of $25,000 to upwards of $50,000.

Starting in March of 2021, the number of COVID-19 patients in ICU in need of respiratory treatment started to decrease, and so did the cost of ventilators. As of summer 2021, the cost of ventilators has returned to their pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

As long as the number of patients in intensive care due to COVID-19 remains stable, so should the costs of ventilators. Despite some health care workers’ fear of a return of the virus – or a mutation thereof – for the time being, it is a buyer’s market.

The Cost of High-Acuity Ventilators for an Intensive Care Unit

While there are many different types of ventilators on the market – including home care ventilators and portable ventilators – for an intensive care unit at a hospital needing to treat patients with severe respiratory illnesses or infections, the kind of ventilator that is the most sought-after is known as a high-acuity ventilator.

The type of hospital medical equipment has a turbine-based air supply and proportional solenoid gas delivery system (PSOL). This type of advanced mechanical ventilation device can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $55,000.

Factors That Contribute to the Cost of a Ventilator

In addition to the purchase volume, the hospital’s GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) or IHN (Integrated Healthcare Network) affiliation, there are several factors in the ventilators themselves that contribute to the wide range in cost of the units.

Features

Advanced user-friendly interface features such as touch screen control or intelligent alarm functions such as EtCO2 chance supply low power indicator and low PEEP indicator are available in higher-end ventilator units.

Expected Lifespan

The average lifespan of a mechanical ventilator ranges from 7 to 14 years. With proper maintenance and upgrades, it is reasonable to exceed even that.

Battery Life and Battery Replacement Costs

Over the life of a ventilator, the battery will need to be replaced several times – from 3 to upwards of 6 times. The cost of a ventilator battery depends on the make and model but varies between $300 and $800. Choosing a ventilator with a high battery life expectancy can reduce this cost. The better batteries on the market have a lifespan between 3 and 4 years, depending on usage.

The Cost of a Used Ventilator

Given the relatively low lifespan of a high-end ventilator – 10 to 12 years on average – the value of a ventilator will depreciate quite quickly. For this reason, it is possible to find a used ventilator at a fraction of the cost of its initial purchase price.

After 2 years, a ventilator could lose approximately 30% of its value and a 4-year-old ventilator can be found for somewhere between 40% – 50% less than a new ventilator.

The Cost of a Refurbished Ventilator

It is quite common for a used ventilator to be sold after it undergoes some cosmetic enhancements and some upgrades to its features and/or components. This is referred to as refurbishing. Purchasing a refurbished ventilator allows hospitals or clinics to obtain ventilators with the latest features at a lower cost.

Depending on how old the ventilator is and on what kind of updates and enhancements the ventilator has received, the cost of the refurbished ventilator can come out to 20% to 40% less compared to the cost of a new model with similar features.

Popular Ventilator Models

A conveniently portable and advanced respiratory ventilator, the CareFusion LTV-1000 utilizes an LTM™ Graphics Monitor for full-color, user-selectable ventilator waveform display. The unit also features an internal oxygen blending system and automatic O2 switchover features for improved patient care.

Get a more complete product description by consulting this webpage where you can also ask for a free customized quote on the purchase of this product.

Refurbished with state-of-the-art technology and offering a wide range of ventilation modes and monitoring capabilities, this respiratory ventilator is available for sale from Heartland Medical.

Get a more complete product description by consulting this Oricare Ventilator where you can also ask for a free customized quote on the purchase of this product.

Get a Free Customized Quote

Heartland Medical sells new, used, and refurbished ventilators from top brands such as Oricare, Puritan, Viasys, and others. View our ventilators and get a free customized quote on the product of your choosing.

You can also get multiple quotes. Simply contact Heartland Medical with your inquiry, and receive customized quotes on multiple products and options for your facility’s needs.