In line suction on the ET

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2007

We are just now switching over to them. I like them, but the more experienced nurses don't. They aren't sure if it is because it is something new they have to adjust to, or if it isn't as effective. I like them because they are less obtrusive, we don't have to bother the baby as much to suction. They were a bit akward at first. We aren't suctioning the babies any more than we used to and their sats are fine so I think that they are just as effective as traditional suctioning.

NicuNightRN · Feb 28, 2007

We only use the in-line where I work. I've never had any problems with it! I feel like it is easier because when I was an intern in the NICU in school, you had to disconnect the baby from the vent and needed a second person there to hook the vent back up between passes to maintain sterile technique.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2007

We switched to them a few years back. At first, people hated them - they were used to sterile 2-man suctioning with an RT bagging the baby. But once we got used to the in-lines...we fell in love!!! We can suction whenever we need to without needing someone else to bag the baby so it's much more convenient. It's cleaner, that's for sure, and we've had noticably less bacterial pneumonias since the switch. It's better for the baby's lungs since there isn't a change in pressures like when someone is bagging him or her - as people tend to bag harder during suctioning - the vent keeps on giving the same settings so less barotrauma. We can even do it when the baby is on his or her belly in an emergency - no way can you do that with 2-man suctioning!

It does take some time to get comfortable with them, but encourage your unit to give them a chance.

justjenny · Mar 1, 2007

I honestly would not want to use anything else. With in line suction available, you keep a "closed" system which is better for the patient and easier (IMO) for the nurses

Jenny

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2007

It's cleaner, that's for sure, and we've had noticably less bacterial pneumonias since the switch. It's better for the baby's lungs since there isn't a change in pressures like when someone is bagging him or her - as people tend to bag harder during suctioning - the vent keeps on giving the same settings so less barotrauma.

We switched to them as a part of a plan to decrease the incidence of VAP, I am glad to hear that this has helped in your unit. I will mention the lack of pressure changes as another plus to inline suctioning the next time I work.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 1, 2007

We use the Ballard neonatal in-line suctioning systems.... and love them!! I personally have never used anything BUT inline suction devices. They help cut down on loss of airspace b/c you never disconnect them from the vent, just occlude the ETT for a few seconds while you suction.

KatrinaPM · Mar 6, 2007

I love the Ballard, as well. We tested other companies' inlines and there was a definite preference on our unit.

preemieRNkate, RN · Mar 6, 2007

We usually use them for our babies on HFOV. Some nurses prefer them for babies that require more frequent suctioning on conventional vents as well. Personally, I like them for babies on HFOV and bigger babies on conventional vents. I find with small babies, they're very bulky and tend to put tension on the ETT.

larelsail · Mar 7, 2007

I love inline suction! Easier, cleaner, as effective as conventional (in my 2 years experience), don't need a second set of hands, quieter, faster...and on and on. Also, our unit has been using inline catheters for giving survanta for about a year...love that, too!!

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Mar 8, 2007

This is a standard of care for us....all kids get inline. We have reduced our VAP by about 60% in the last year by using them!

Jes RN · Mar 25, 2007

In our unit, we use a neolink adapter. The adapter has two ports; one for the suction catheter and one to attach a saline pillow for lavage (if needed). It stays affixed to the end of the ET tube and allows for "one man suctioning" while maintaining a closed system. Personally, I have never used the ballard inline catheter, so I can't speak to preference; however, we trialed them on our unit a few years back and not many liked them. Most found them bulky and like someone else had mentioned, they had a tendency to pull on the itty bitties' ETTs. Also, our CNS/Neos prefer the neolink because of less deadspace added to the tubing setup.

Here is a picture of the adapter: http://www.corpakmedsystems.com/products/airway/neolink.htm

I know this is an older thread, but I just thought I'd post, as we're using something a lil' different than the current posters. :clown: