Purpose of Suctioning

SUCTIONING

CONTENT Purpose of suctioning When to suction Equipment for suctioning How to suction Cleaning equipment Supplies

PURPOSE OF SUCTIONING 1. Suctioning is used to remove mucus or saliva from your baby’s nose, mouth and throat.

WHEN TO SUCTION 1. Congestion heard in nose or throat.

2. Visible mucus or saliva in nose and mouth.

3. Gurgling heard in throat.

4. Restlessness.

5. Increased breathing rate.

6. Cyanosis (bluish color).

7. Increased heart rate.

8. Suction only as needed.

9. Use the suction catheter when the bulb syringe cannot remove mucus.

EQUIPMENT FOR SUCTIONING 1. Supplies needed: a. Suction machine and tubing (portable or stationary) b. Suction catheter with sleeve c. Cup of tap water.

Suctioning 1 HOW TO SUCTION 1. Wash your hands before suctioning. You do not need to wear gloves to suction your baby.

2. Get all the equipment together and ready to use.

3. Open catheter with sleeve. Connect the catheter to suction tubing. a. Place catheter on a clean towel or area.

4. Measure the distance from the baby’s mouth to ear to determine the correct depth to insert the catheter. a. It may help to have a marked suction catheter taped to the bed as a guide.

5. Position baby with nose pointed up or your baby may lay quietly to his/her side. a. You may need to use one hand to hold your baby’s head still while you suction him.

6. Turn the suction machine ON. a. The suction machine should be set at 10-15 inches Hg to suction the mouth and nose b. Check the machine daily to make sure the machine is adjusted and working properly.

7. .Insert the suction catheter into the back of your baby’s throat until baby coughs, but do not push it back further than the distance measured from his mouth to ear. a. Inserting the catheter farther may result in placing the suction catheter into your baby’s stomach.

Suctioning 2 8. Suction by blocking the fingerhole on the catheter every second or two and withdrawing the catheter slowly. Rotate the suction catheter between your fingers to provide better suctioning. SUCTION ONLY ON THE WAY OUT OF YOUR BABY’S MOUTH AND THROAT OR NOSE.

9. Suctioning should last only 5 seconds during each entry.

10. Stop suctioning when mucus or saliva cannot be heard or seen.

11. Allow your baby to catch his breath and calm down, and let his color return (about 30 seconds) between each time you suction.

12. Rinse the suction catheter by suctioning tap water up into the catheter and tubing.

13. The suction catheter with sleeve should be thrown away every 8 hours.

14. Turn the suction machine OFF and make sure supplies are ready for use later.

CLEANING EQUIPMENT 1. Some of the supplies/equipment you will use are disposable. a. Disposable supplies/equipment are discarded weekly and replaced with new clean supplies/equipment b. Your Home Health Agency/Supply Company will give you instructions on the use and care of disposable items.

2. The suction canister and tubing are also disposable BUT are changed monthly. a. If it becomes soiled sooner, change it sooner.

3. Use a new suction catheter with sleeve every 8 hours. a. Clean the catheter after each use by:  1st Suctioning up tap water with the catheter to remove secretions left in the catheter  2nd Suctioning up and rinsing the catheter with sterile saline.

SUPPLIES 1. A supply company near where you live will provide all of the home supplies you will need. The hospital will make these arrangements for you.

2. The supply company will contact you at home or while you are visiting your baby.

Suctioning 3 3. Do not use the supplies for home use while your baby is still in the hospital.

4. Supplies are generally ordered once a month from your supply company. a. It’s important to keep an accurate list of the supplies you use b. This will make it easier for you to keep up with the supplies you need to replace c. Call your supply company if your equipment breaks or when you need to reorder supplies.

5. Families with insurance should call the insurance company or caseworker before reordering supplies. The company may not pay for the supplies otherwise. The insurance company will tell you how they want this done. They work with the supply company to make sure you have what your baby needs.

Reviewed/Revised: 5/98…..06/13

Suctioning 4