help with a vent, please

[cathy j]

Hi Everyone,
Our friend is 20 y.o., C2 vent dependant quad since 1/03. He's had lot's of issues with his lungs of course, but it is constant. And bad. Now the past year he's had to have increased oxygen. Last 6 mos., needs to be bagged regularly, he says it's like a sigh when he gets bagged. Sats level with 5 ltrs of O2 sometimes only 88-90. He has bronchylectasis (sp) and has had pneumothorax which the fam. believes is from someone trying to change vent settings to make him more comfortable. he goes from pressure setting to volume back and forth when he is uncomfortable with one or the other.
Another thing, his vent doesn't have a - sigh - built into the vent setting somewhere. I thought I remembered that Dan was on a vent that gives sighs. Do they have vents like that? He is constantly struggling to breathe!
He's been to the ER just today, they ruled out embolism, says he has an infection so sent home with antibiotics. I was praying that they would keep him and do a battery of tests and be able to help this guy.
Any input is always greatly appreciated.
C