Published
In our unit, and thru most of the other units now, we have adopted an as needed protocal...and then the careplans reflect how often the patient usually needs it. Routine suctioning isn't a great idea...loss of O2 and cilia can be damaged, and just plain trauma if people aren't careful suctioning. It took a while to get this far in our hospital....good luck!
Do you mean page respiratory PRN, or do you really sx?
I've wondered how much the atmosphere has changed in the ten years I've been away. I can remember being called off of other routine care to do in-line sx!
If it was NT sx the nurses wouldn't go near that. I would be called "stat" for that crap.
LOL.
PRN is the way to go with sx. B/S are loud and clear on a vent. If you hear rales, sx. If you don't hear anything...........bag 'em!...LOl
I wish there were more nurses like you when I was a tech.
Can you imagine being called from a couple of floors away for that?
Seriousely, It happened at five different hospitals throughout my short-lived respiratory career so I don't think it was as much of an anomaly as it is to you now. In the early 90's respiratory as a "profession" was CTD anyway.
Sorry to butt into the conversation there. I just had to comment.
willie2001
108 Posts
What are some of your opinions on the routine suctioning(ie:q 2-3hrs) of patients on ventilators? Do you routinely suction because it is "policy" or do you only suction when needed. We are having a mild ongoing controversey at my hospital about this, and I would like some of your thoughts. Thanks for any insight any of you can offer.