How often should a trach be suctioned?

Suction the trach 3 to 4 times a day, or more if needed. For example, two of the times could be before you go to bed and when you wake up in the morning. You will need suction catheters, a suction machine, and a mirror.


How long do you wait between trach suction?

Allow the patient 20 to 30 seconds to rest between suction passes.

How often should the nurse suction a client's tracheostomy?

Nurses provide tracheostomy care for clients with new or recent tracheostomy to maintain patency of the tube and minimize the risk for infection (since the inhaled air by the client is no longer filtered by the upper airways). Initially a tracheostomy may need to be suctioned and cleaned as often as every 1 to 2 hours.


How do you know if a trach needs suction?

Signs that tracheal suction is needed:
  1. Visible mucus that cannot be cleared from tracheostomy tube with a cough.
  2. If you can hear or see secretions.
  3. Pulse oximeter desaturations, difficulty breathing or pale/blue color around mouth or fingernails.
  4. Whistling noise from tracheostomy tube.


How often should you suction an endotracheal tube?

Frequency of Suctioning

It has been suggested by Pedersen et al3 that ETS should be performed at least every 8 hours to slow the formation of the secretion biofilm within the lumen of the endotracheal tube (ETT).


Suctioning your trach



Can you suction a trach too much?

Suctioning clears mucus from the tracheostomy tube and is essential for proper breathing. Also, secretions left in the tube could become contaminated and a chest infection could develop. Avoid suctioning too frequently as this could lead to more secretion buildup.

What are the guidelines in suctioning?

Suction pressure should be kept at less than 200 mmHg in adults. It should be set at 80 mmHg to 120 mmHg in neonates. [3] The catheter size used for suction should be less than 50% of the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube. A common conversion is that a 1 mm diameter is equal to a 3 French.

Can trach patients suction themselves?

Many trach patients are able to suction their own tubes at home. Some need the assistance of medical providers, especially when they are hospitalized, suffering respiratory distress, or have other comorbidities.


How often should the nurse perform trach care?

The tracheostomy inner cannula tube should be cleaned two to three times per day or more as needed. Please note that this only applies to reusable inner cannulas. Cleaning is needed more immediately after surgery and when there is a lot of mucus buildup.

What are the three main complications of tracheal suctioning?

Early complications
  • Bleeding. It's common for there to be some bleeding from the windpipe (trachea) or the tracheostomy itself. ...
  • Collapsed lung. Sometimes air will collect around the lungs and cause them to collapse inwards. ...
  • Accidental injury. ...
  • Infection.


How often do you change the inner cannula of a trach?

Remove and inspect your inner cannula regularly, at least 3 times a day. Change it 2 times per day: once in the morning and once at night. If you see secretions building up inside, change it sooner. Try not to change your inner cannula more than 2 times per day.


Can you suction a trach without the inner cannula?

The inner cannula is the tube that fits into the trach at the neckplate. It can be re-usable or disposable depending on your specific situation. The photo shows the suction catheter entering through the inner cannula. Never suction without the inner cannula in place.

How long does it take to Decannulate a trach?

Step 3: Removing the tracheostomy tube

Decannulation is a two- to three-day process and is done in the pediatric intensive care unit in the hospital.

What are the 2 types of suctioning?

Airway Suction: The removal of airway secretions/foreign material by artificial means, using an applied negative pressure. Yankauer Suction Catheter: A rigid suction tip used to aspirate secretions from the oropharynx.


What is the primary nursing responsibility with a trach patient?

Caring for a patient with tracheostomy requires the nurse to have a thorough understanding of airway management, and maintain an ongoing assessment of the patient's respiratory function. Critical situations would require immediate intervention to ensure that respiratory arrest is avoided.

How often should a trach collar be changed?

Change the ties whenever they are wet or dirty. Otherwise, trach ties are changed every 24 hours. It is important to keep the ties clean and dry. Wet or dirty trach ties can irritate the skin.

How many times can you reuse a trach?

5 times for pediatric sizes. 10 times for adult sizes.


Can you drink water with a trach in?

Most people will eventually be able to eat normally with a tracheostomy, although swallowing can be difficult at first. While in hospital, you may start by taking small sips of water before gradually moving on to soft foods, followed by regular food.

What can you not do with a trach?

Stay away from dust, sand, and cigarette and other smoke. Cover your tracheostomy tube with a scarf or HME if you are in cold weather, it is windy, or you will be near sand or dust.

Why can't you eat with a trach?

By tethering the larynx – sometimes, a tracheostomy tube can stop the upward and forward movement of the larynx (voicebox) during swallowing.


What is the biggest hazard of suctioning *?

Suctioning can stimulate the vagal nerve, predisposing the patient to bradycardia and hypoxia. Hypoxia can be profound from occlusion, interruption of oxygen supply, and prolonged suctioning. Mucosal trauma, physical injuries, and bleeding can result from blunt or penetrating trauma.

When should you not perform suctioning?

Contraindications for Oral Suctioning
  1. Hypoxemia – the most critical to remember!
  2. Trauma – do not do more damage to an already sick patient!
  3. Infection – try to keep it clean when working around mucous membranes!
  4. Cardiac Arrhythmias – watch for signs of increased cardiac workload!


What is the maximum number of passes per suctioning episode?

Do not exceed four passes per suctioning procedure to minimize oxygen desaturation and cardiopulmonary complications. Allow adequate time between passes for the patient to recover before the next pass. Consider administering 100% oxygen for 30 to 60 seconds after suctioning. Monitor the patient for adverse reactions.