Affiliation:
1. Mary Lou Sole is a professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Daleen Aragon Penoyer is the director of the Center for Nursing Research at Orlando Health in Orlando, Florida. Melody Bennett is a project director in the College of Nursing at the University of Central Florida. Jill Bertrand is a clinical nurse specialist at Orlando Health. Steven Talbert is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Central Florida
Abstract
Background
Aspiration of secretions that accumulate above the cuff of the endotracheal tube is a risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Routine suctioning of oropharyngeal secretions may reduce this risk; the recommended frequency for suctioning is unknown.
Objectives
To quantify the volume of secretions suctioned from the oropharynx of critically ill patients at 2 different intervals to assist in identifying a recommended frequency for oropharyngeal suctioning.
Methods
A prospective, repeated measure, single-group design was used. Twenty-eight patients who were orally intubated and treated with mechanical ventilation were enrolled; 2 were extubated during data collection, yielding a sample of 26 patients. The patients were suctioned at baseline with a deep suction catheter, and the volume and weight of secretions were recorded. The procedure was repeated at 2-hour and 4-hour intervals.
Results
Most of the patients were male (mean age, 49 years). Three suctioning passes were needed to clear secretions, with a mean time of 48.1 seconds. The mean volume of secretions at the 2-hour interval was 7.5 mL. Five patients required suctioning before the 4-hour interval. For the remaining 21 patients, the volume retrieved was 6.5 mL at the 2-hour interval and 7.5 mL at the 4-hour interval (P = .27). The 5 patients who required extra suctioning had significantly more secretions at the 2-hour interval (11.6 mL vs 6.5 mL; P = .05).
Conclusions
A minimum frequency of oropharyngeal suctioning every 4 hours is recommended. However, more frequent suctioning may be needed in a subset of patients.
Subject
Critical Care Nursing,General Medicine
Cited by
21 articles.
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