Suctioning 101: Essential Info & Tips! Life with a Vent

An important tool used to help keep the airways clear in a person with a tracheotomy tube is suctioning. Normally, the upper airway warms, moistens and cleans the air we breathe. However, a tracheostomy tube bypasses these mechanisms. The air moving through the airways of a person with a tracheostomy tube is cooler, dryer and not as clean. In response to these changes, the body produces more mucus. Suctioning clears mucus from the tracheostomy tube and airway. #lifewithavent #suction #tracheostomy

Join me this week as I discuss suctioning basics such as how to suction, when to suction, and types of suction catheters. I will also demonstrate how to attach the suction catheter to the ventilator tubing, how to suction, how to use saline and I will share some tips and tricks I have learned.

It is best to suction in the morning when the person first wakes up and at night right before going to bed. Additional suctioning may be needed if mucus is heard rattling in the tracheostomy tube, before meals, and if the person has increased secretions due to a respiratory infection. If a person has increased secretions or mucus which is thick, you may want to run 3-5 milliliters of saline through a nebulizer before suctioning. This will help break up the mucus and make suctioning easier. For more details about using a nebulizer, please see the video: Have a nebulizer? Info you need to know.    • Have a Nebulizer? Info you NEED to kn...  

Please avoid excessive suctioning. Suctioning too offer will irritate the airways and will create more mucus.

Just a note, the medical term for mucus in the airways is sputum. So if your medical provider asks about sputum production, note the person is referring to the mucus in your airways.When you suction, the sputum should be clear or white. If the sputum changes color to yellow, brown, green, etc, this may be a sign of an infection. For more information about sputum in tracheostomy patients, please see the video: In sickness & in health, know your sputum!    • In Sickness & In Health, Know Your SP...  

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