ETT's, Holders, Pressure Sores

Specialties MICU

Published

Specializes in Critical Care, ER.

We are currently looking at options for ET tube holders in our ICU. We've tried a couple different ones and we are trying to search out information about effective ET tube holders and pressure ulcer incidence, but not finding a lot of detailed information out there so I'm wondering what your experiences are and with what brand of ET tube holders? Thanks!

Specializes in Anesthesia.
We are currently looking at options for ET tube holders in our ICU. We've tried a couple different ones and we are trying to search out information about effective ET tube holders and pressure ulcer incidence, but not finding a lot of detailed information out there so I'm wondering what your experiences are and with what brand of ET tube holders? Thanks!

I apologize I can't remember specific brands (I have used several). In general I have never had any problems with the "soft" commerical ETT holders. The ETT holders made of hard plastic most hospitals won't use anymore, because the increased incidence of pressure sores.

I and several of my friends like the Bard brand with the duoderm-like pads. Tube position from side to side can be changed easily without pulling on the skin. For the life of me, I cannot recall the name.

Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.
I and several of my friends like the Bard brand with the duoderm-like pads. Tube position from side to side can be changed easily without pulling on the skin. For the life of me, I cannot recall the name.

We have been "trialing" several different ones becasue of VAP. I like the Dueodurm one's for the skin and the fact that things are much cleaner looking. However, If you have a patient that has lots of oral secretions and the holder gets wet, we have found that the tube slips WAAAYYY to easily for comfort. I really liked the way the patients skin looked even after having the holder on for 7 days (repositoned in mouth each day of course). No redness. But the fear of extubation was great. We wound up retaping it "the old way". We also do not use the plastic tubes, unless they come up from the ER or in the field and we change them.

I'm sorry, I can't help you with any brand names, but the nicest holder I've used was a pretty standard strap (velcro) but the tube is is fastened to a track that runs along the strap on the upper lip. The ETT can be repositioned without disconnecting anything.

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