Admin Table of Contents
How often should you change suction catheter?
Currently, the largest manufacturer of in-line suction catheter systems (Trach Care; Ballard Medical Products, Draper, UT) recommends routinely changing the catheter every 24 h.
How many times can you use a suction catheter?
Suction catheters are to be routinely replaced every 24 hours or at any time if contaminated or blocked by secretions.
Can you reuse a suction catheter?
Rinse the catheters in cool water and air-dry. Allow the catheters to dry in a clear container. Do not reuse catheters if they become stiff or cracked.
How long should a suction procedure each time last?
Apply suction for a maximum of 10 to 15 seconds. Allow patient to rest in between suction for 30 seconds to 1 minute. 10. If required, replace oxygen on patient and clear out suction catheter by placing yankauer in the basin of water.
What are the complications of suctioning?
Complications
- Suctioning can stimulate the vagal nerve, predisposing the patient to bradycardia and hypoxia.
- Hypoxia can be profound from occlusion, interruption of oxygen supply, and prolonged suctioning.
- Mucosal trauma, physical injuries, and bleeding can result from blunt or penetrating trauma.
What is the most serious complication with suctioning?
Bradycardia. A slow heart rate, known as bradycardia, is one of the most common suctioning complications, likely because suctioning stimulates the vagus nerve. This increases the risk of fainting and loss of consciousness. In patients in cardiac distress, it can elevate the risk of severe cardiovascular complications.
What happens if you suction too deep?
Use deep suctioning only for emergencies when premeasured suctioning does not work or you have to do CPR. Since the suction tube goes in much deeper, deep suctioning can hurt the airway (trachea).
How to suction a nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal catheter?
Apply suction by holding your thumb over the suction control port. Slowly remove the catheter while “twirling” it between your fingers to remove mucus. Limit suctioning to 5 to 10 seconds. Once the catheter is out, clean it by dipping it in the sterile water or saline and suctioning.
How often should a suction catheter be changed?
Beginning in May 1999, our policy of daily change of in-line suction catheters was modified to specify that catheters would be changed every 7 days routinely, or sooner in the event of mechanical failure (eg, leakage of secretions into the catheter sheath) or catheter soilage (eg, by emesis or by blood).
How can you tell the suction depth of a catheter?
Estimate the appropriate suctioning depth by measuring the catheter from the tip of the patient’s nose to the angle of the mandible or to the earlobe This is done with the suction catheter still in the sterile package. Ensures that the catheter remains sterile and at minimum reaches the pharynx.
Where does suctioning of the oropharyngeal take place?
Oropharyngeal involves the mouth and the pharynx and sometimes the trachea. The pharynx and trachea can also be reached through the nose. Suctioning via all of these routes are indicated when the patient has secretions in the pharynx and upper airway that they cannot clear independently.