suctioning

It just depends on facilty policy.

I'd call and ask. I know that as an LPN in AB, I can't "deep suction" it has to be kept within the oral cavity. Even the RNs on my unit don't like to go much deeper and call for a RT

Hi Kelly,

I work in ON, in a group home type setting for medically fragile children. We have quite a few trachs. We suction to a prescribed distance which is measured out on the suction catheter for each client with a trach. We have a large age range infant and up so size of the client determines the distance. We also suction the oral and nasal cavities. I can't remember if we had extra orientation on this upon hire.

Hope this helps,

Heather

1 place I worked didn't allow RPNs to suction at all (not even in the mouth ). Two places only allowed suctioning in the oral cavity. One place the RPNs were allowed to do deep suctioning exactly the same as the RNs could so it's very important to check the P&P of your facility.

Worked on a complex medicine unit and we deep suctioned. Most of our pts were vented and trached. We did training with an RT and we had to pass a test. Check your policy.