Baylor Health Care SystemAbout B   Need something? Call us:
1.800.4BAYLOR(1.800.422.9567) Text Size  Definition of Terms 
Artificial Ventilation Techniques: Machines that assist or
control your breathing are called ventilators. After the
critical event which caused the breathing problems, most
patients can be weaned from the need for ventilator assistance.
Some patients are totally dependent on a ventilator and would
die without its support. Other patients are partially dependent.
If you remain either partially or totally dependent upon
ventilator support, you, if able, your health care decision
maker and your physicians may address the issues of whether or
not to continue such support.  Brain Death: The absence of brain
activity may be observed and documented by a variety of methods.
When this occurs, the patient cannot recover and is considered
medically and legally dead even though other vital organs may
continue to function for a short while. Vital organs may be
donated from patients who have suffered br