Polymixin via ETT

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

Hello again!

I've got this posted in all the ICU forums...just wondering how many ICU's out there use inline suction and if you do, do you use polymixinB down the ETT when suctioning as a VAP preventative? I am trying to find out if this is common. We use this on all pts with inlines in my NICU but the PICU/CICU do not and there is no official policy for it. I found some scattered research dated a few years back that some studies showed its usefulness while others couldn't argue either way.

Thanks for the input!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Please don't post your questions in multiple forums. Please pick the most appropriate forum and post there.

We use inline suction on ALL our patients. We don't use polymyxin B on any of them. As far as I know, it's toxic... We don't routinely use H2 blockers either.

[umcRN, BSN, RN]

thanks for your reply! I'm sorry about the multiple posts, just trying to get some info but won't do it again. I wish we used more inlines though. How often do you change them if you don't mind my asking? Our policy says 72hrs per the manufacturer, our unit educators want us doing it q24, but some people who have come from other hospitals say they did it weekly (which I thought was kind of icky but in the nicu we did it q24 too so i'm not aware of what appropriate practices might be elsewhere)

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

We change them once a week and prn. It's the RT's responsibility to ensure it's done. We also are expected to flush the secretions out of the catheter post-suctioning with sterile saline until clear. Our VAP stats have gone way down over the last couple of years through HOB elevation, q2h oral care and preferentially feeding via NJ.