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A Suction Machine is a device for removing liquids or gases by suction, especially an instrument that uses suction to remove substances, such as mucus or serum, from a body cavity. A is used to create a partial vacuum. A suction machine has been prescribed by your doctor to help remove secretions and mucus from your airways. In addition, a suction machine may be needed when you have a moist cough, are unable to effectively clear secretions from the throat, or are having difficulty breathing or feel that you can not get enough air.

Preparation of equipment: negative pressure

The suction unit may be The negative pressure of the unit must be checked a piped vacuum system prior to attaching the or a portable unit. catheter to the suction Biomedical Engineering tubing provide a guide to testing the correct set This is done by turning on up of suction units the unit, placing a finger
over the end of the suction tubing and then noting the suction manometer reading (

SUCTION CATHETERS
A. Open ended catheter has a large opening for thick mucus plugs at the end of the catheter and two opposite eyes. ( to distribute (-) pressure wider area B. Whistle-tip catheter - has a large oblique opening in the end. C. With any catheter, the system must be closed.

 What is a suction catheter? A suction catheter is a flexible, long tube attached on one end to the breathing tube (endotracheal or tracheostomy tube). The other end of the suction catheter is connected to a collection container (suction canister) and a device that generates suction. When is a suction catheter used? Critically ill or injured patients who require a breathing (endotracheal) tube or tracheostomy tube need occasional suctioning to remove secretions from the airway. The respiratory therapist, nurse, or ICU technician suctions a patient by inserting a small flexible tube called a suction catheter into the breathing tube. The purpose of suctioning is to keep the airways clear of secretions and hopefully prevent plugging of the airways

 Rigid suction catheters (ie Yankauer suckers) may be used to clear the mouth of thick and/or particulate matter. (Rationale 21) In all other circumstances, catheters must not exceed more than 50 per cent of the internal diameter of the airway. (Glass & Grap, 1995)(Rationale 22) Catheters must have rounded tips (Link et al, 1976)(Rationale 23) Catheters must have two or three small lateral holes to provide relief if the distal hole becomes occluded. Catheters must not have more than three lateral holes. The greater the number of lateral holes the weaker the wall of the suction catheter (Link et al, 1976). Lateral holes of the suction catheters must be smaller than the distal hole (Link et al, 1976; Jung & Gottleib, 1976)(Rationale 24, Rationale 25, Rationale 26)

Whenever possible suction catheters with integrated vacuum controls should be used (Prasad & Hussey, 1995). When these are unavailable a Y connector must be incorporated between the suction tubing & catheter. (Rationale 27)

Retractor Style Yankauer Suction Machine Tip

potentially harmful effects. These may include:

Hypoxaemia (Bersten et al. 2003), as oxygen as well as secretions may be removed from the lungs when suctioning (Woodrow 2000). Vasovagal response causing arrhythmias and hypotension (Wainright and Gould 1996, Bersten et al. 2003). Mucosal trauma (Moore 2003). Suction should only be applied when withdrawing the catheter, never when inserting it. Cross-infection (Woodrow 2000, Moore 2003). Suction procedures should therefore be as brief as possible, lasting approximately 15 seconds (Woodrow 2000). The instilling of 0.9% saline via a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube prior to suctioning is sometimes performed; however, there is little evidence to support this practice and it could potentially cause harm (Akgul and Akyolcu

 Suction procedures should therefore be as brief as possible, lasting approximately 15 seconds (Woodrow 2000). The instilling of 0.9% saline via a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube prior to suctioning is sometimes performed; however, there is little evidence to support this practice and it could potentially cause harm