Ett suction preterms

[johan john]

How often do u suction your micros, one of the MD'S were not satisfied with me when Itold Ididn't suction my babe for the last 8hrs. actually babe was doing well and vent parameters went down as well. Do any one of u have any literature suggesting not to suction micros aggressively.for me Idon't like to touch them unless indicated.

[Preemienurse23]

I suction my baby once with my initial assesment, to verify patency of the ETT, and to make sure that it isn't being partially blocked by secretions.

How exactly does suctioning verify ETT placement? You can be down the right stem, and still sution seretions out, plus usually if you are right stemed or too high breath sounds and usually sats are not as good as they should or can be. I can understand aspiration of a NT/OG, but not of an ETT. I was taught to listen, make sure you are equal on both sides, and most of our vented kids get routine X-rays, so we verify placement with that.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

How exactly does suctioning verify ETT placement? You can be down the right stem, and still sution seretions out, plus usually if you are right stemed or too high breath sounds and usually sats are not as good as they should or can be. I can understand aspiration of a NT/OG, but not of an ETT. I was taught to listen, make sure you are equal on both sides, and most of our vented kids get routine X-rays, so we verify placement with that.

patency, not placement.

[Preemienurse23]

patency, not placement.

Thanks NeoNurse I was tired when I got off work last night. Patency makes more sense than placement!

[HurleyRN]

Our unit also does the 30 minutes before a gas rule, although I am not sure I agree with it. Especially since we seem to get kids that need frequent gases. We also use VAPguard. We use it before repositioning or any procedure. We have seen a decrease in VAP by using it, but on really touchy babies I have wondered if it can have the same negative effects as ETT suctioning (risk for IVH, etc).