Clinical Guidelines (Nursing)
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Endotracheal tube suction of ventilated neonates
IntroductionAimDefinition of TermsAssessmentManagementDocumentationFamily Centered CareSpecial Considerations Evidence Table
Introduction
Endotracheal intubation prevents the cough reflex and interferes with normal muco-ciliary function, therefore increasing airway secretion production and decreasing the ability to clear secretions.
Endotracheal tube (ETT) suction is necessary to clear secretions and to maintain airway patency, and to therefore optimise oxygenation and ventilation in a ventilated patient.
ETT suction is a common procedure carried out on intubated infants. The goal of ETT suction should be to maximise the amount of secretions removed with minimal adverse effects associated with the procedure.
The aim of the guideline is to outline the principles of management for infants requiring ETT suction for clinicians on Butterfly Ward at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Definition of Terms Endotracheal Tube (ETT): An airway catheter inserted into the trachea (windpipe) via the mouth or nose in endotracheal intubation. On Butterfly Ward this is usually un-cuffed
Endotracheal Intubation: The placement of a tube into the trachea in order to maintain an open airway in patients who are unable to breathe on their own or maintain their own airway
ETT Suction: The process of applying a negative pressure to the distal ETT or trachea by introducing a catheter to clear excess, or abnormal, secretions
PIP: Peak inspiratory pressure
HFOV: High frequency oscillation ventilation
HFJV: High frequency jet ventilationAssessment
ETT suction should be based on a clinical assessment of the infant. The inspired gas is warmed and humidified (therefore decreasing the risk of secretions drying and occluding the airway).
Auscultate with stethoscope before and after ETT suction to evaluate necessity and effectiveness of the procedure.
Monitor the infant closely before, during and after the procedure to assess baseline, acute physiological changes and recovery. Parameters to observe:
Oxygen saturationHeart rateRespiratory rateBlood pressure (where possible)ETT CO2 or transcutaneous CO2 Respiratory function monitoring (during conventional modes of ventilation), including flow, pressure, tidal volume and minute volume
Clinical Indications for ETT suction
Desaturations
Bradycardia
Tachycardia
Absent or decreased chest movement
Visible secretions in ETT
Increased ETT CO2 or transcutaneous CO2
Irritability
Coarse or decreased breath sounds
Increased work of breathing
Blood pressure fluctuations
Recent history of large amounts of thick / tenacious secretions
Effectiveness of ETT suction should be assessed after the procedure by observing:
Improvement in breath soundsRemoval of secretionsImproved oxygen saturation, transcutaneous CO2, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rateDecreased work of breathing, improved chest movement
Suction should only be to the tip of the ETT, and should never exceed more than 0.5cm beyond the tip of the ETT, to prevent mucosal irritation and injury.
Measurement of length to suction is to be predetermined at shift commencement. Length is determined by using the centimetre markings on the ETT; and by adding the length of additional space of the ETT adapter (usually 1-1.5 cm). If patient on HFOV or HFJV, allow for different lengths of suction adaptors.
Management
EquipmentFunctioning wall suction unit with suction tubing connected (checked at shift commencement)
Neopuff set to appropriate settings (checked at shift commencement)
Suction catheter (see table below for appropriate sizes)
Non sterile gloves
Normal saline ampoule and 2 ml syringe (if normal saline lavage required)
ProcedureWhere possible, this procedure requires two clinicians. If clinician deems it necessary, she/he may undertake the procedure without assistance and in this situation should alert other nearby members of staff that ETT suction is occurring.
Explain to parents what is about to occur.
To determine suction catheter size:ETT Size (mm) Suction Catheter Size2.5 5 FG3.0 - 3.5 6 - 7 FG4.0 - 4.5 8 FG
Set the suction pressure at -80-100 cmH2O. Suction pressure may be lower for a small or unstable infant, or higher to remove thick or tenacious secretions. Maximum pressure should not be higher than -200 cmH2O.
Pre-silence alarms.
Primary clinician performs hand hygiene, dons gloves on both hands and protecting key parts attaches appropriate sized suction catheter to suction tubing. Ensuring that the suction catheter does not touch anything that could contaminate it e.g. bed linen.
Observe pre-suction physiological parameters.
When the primary clinician and assistant are ready, assistant disconnects ETT from ventilator tubing at ETT adaptor. For HFOV and HFJV use the suction port at the end of the ETT (closed suction) unless otherwise ordered by the medical staff (Se