Title

Oropharyngeal Secretion Volume In Intubated Patients: The Importance Of Oral Suctioning

Abstract

Background: Aspiration of secretions that accumulate above the cuff of the endotracheal tube is a risk factor for ventilatorassociated 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. © 2011 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Publication Date

11-1-2011

Publication Title

American Journal of Critical Care

Volume

20

Issue

6

Number of Pages

-

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2011178

Socpus ID

84856534874 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84856534874

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS