Does suctioning trach's ever get easier?

MadpeysRN · Nov 18, 2013

i haven't done it in a while but suctioning a trach never bothered me- i think because it has to be there and you have to do it. The people that would decide to create a collection of tissues on their bedside table or worse yet, sputum collection cups ...gag....[/quote']
Yes!!! I hate that too!! I always pick them up out of places they fall too in the bed. And replacing paper towels in the container they are using. Sometimes I just through the whole thing out and get a new one!

MadpeysRN · Nov 18, 2013

I'm weird too. I like trachs. Note I did not say "love" but I find it very satisfactory to get them clean. Kind of like when you clean your rug and it is so satisfying to see all the dirty water. I know I know.[/quote']
I like the feeling of cleaning my house after I'm done, however I do not get the same scrubbing slime crusted snot out if a trach!! Lol!!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2013

I am looking forward to entering a specialty where I will never have to deal with trachs again ... I dont like psych nursing either, so that complicates things :)

Cosmo&Wanda · Nov 19, 2013

I work on a vent unit so I suction all day long! It becomes like second nature, and I have to say it is satisfying to clear out a mucous plug and then see the patient finally relax and breathe. What I hate doing is wound care, especially when there is gangrene involved!

MadpeysRN · Nov 21, 2013

I work on a vent unit so I suction all day long! It becomes like second nature and I have to say it is satisfying to clear out a mucous plug and then see the patient finally relax and breathe. What I hate doing is wound care, especially when there is gangrene involved![/quote']
Ya wound care is no fun. Just had a gangrene experience. The smell was stuck on me and in my nose for awhile. Not cool..

krisiepoo · Nov 21, 2013

one instructor told us that every nurse has that ONE THING that will never be easier and that will always gross them out... hers was sputum as well... she told some funny stories about her suctioning and gagging at the same time :)

NightNurseRN13 · Nov 22, 2013

I never did trach suctioning or trach care while in nursing school. I graduated and landed a job and BOOM all my patients have trachs. I suction one of my patients at least a couple dozen times during a shift. I change trach ties. I change out the entire trach once a week. I also have to clean out the suction container every shift. At first I was so scared and disgusted, but now after having done it so many times it's like a second nature to me now. So..... yes, it should get easier the more you expose yourself to it.

p.s. I still get scared for a brief moment every time I change the trach out.

K+MgSO4, BSN · Nov 23, 2013

I can manage a trache but someone hacking a luggie up makes we want to gag. This I why I make pts do deep breathing and coughing to prevent that gross wet sound

SwansonRN · Nov 23, 2013

It probably will get easier if you do it often enough. I've never had a problem with sputum, but I used to get nervous about switching out the inner cannula when I was in school. Most of my patients are orally intubated, but I see trachs fairly frequently, so I'm very comfortable around them. I think it just depends on the amount of exposure you have.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Nov 23, 2013

I got my 1st experience with a trach today, I must say cleaning up my patients BM was much easier to stomach than the mucous secretions . I must say, I got to give a hand to those that chose to go into respiratory...

I am with you, Belle!! No it doesn't get necessarily easier, however, with the right mint (altoids) it makes it a tad easier to stomach.....give me any other body secretion, and I am fine, something about mucous secretions, however.......

MadpeysRN · Nov 23, 2013

I've only had one trach patient besides the one I had in school. THANK YOU Baby Jesus!!

Our hospital recently designated a certain floor for trachs also, thank you again Baby Jesus!

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2013

I like suctioning patients with trachs on ventilators, because they have inline suctioning. More bearable than open trach suctioning.