Teaching pack for parents/guardians
This teaching pack and associated competency document refer to self-ventilating children only. Note: If you require training to suction a child with an artificial airway, please seek advice from the tracheostomy nursing team or long term ventilation team.
Coughing
In a healthy person a cough is stimulated by secretions in the larger airways (trachea and bronchi). The body’s response is to take a deeper breath in and a forceful breath out (a cough). This is created by the diaphragm (the large muscle separating the lung cavity and the abdominal cavity) and intercostal muscles (the muscles between your ribs). Some people do not have the strength in their muscles to create an effective cough. Others have too many secretions to be able to clear them independently. These people may require suctioning to clear the secretions in order to prevent build up in the lungs and associated chest infections.
Indications for suction
- Increased audible/visible secretions.
- Unable to cough effectively to clear these secretions.
- Decreased oxygen saturations (if measured).
- Abnormal breathing patterns.
- Change in colour (for example starts to go blue around the lips).
Hazards for suction
- Increased/decreased heart rate.
- Bacterial infection – gagging/vomiting.
- Spasm along the airway – patient distress and discomfort.
- Damage to the lining of the airway.
After suction check
- Respiratory rate and quality.
- Colour.
- Heart rate.
- Oxygen levels (if already being monitored).
- Quantity, colour and thickness of secretions suctioned.
Suction pressure settings and size of suction catheter
Your medical team will advise on the suction pressure and the size of suction catheter that is required for your child.
Depth of suction
To use the suction catheter measure length from nostril to angle of lower jaw (make a note of this number). This number is the furthest the suction catheter should be inserted. Or stop inserting when a cough is stimulated (if less than measured depth).
My child’s current suction depth is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Size of suction catheter is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The suction pressure is: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This can be reviewed in your child’s annual review clinic due to growth.
Timing
The whole procedure should take no more than 10 to 15 seconds.
When to seek further assistance
Contacts/Further information
For information regarding this leaflet you can contact the paediatric physiotherapy team on 01223 245151 bleep 156 2120.
