A suction catheter is one of the most versatile, useful pieces of medical equipment in your supply bag. Whether it’s preventing emergencies before they start or offering life-saving treatment when a person cannot effectively breathe on their own, the right suction catheter is critical to doing your job. Here are 6 key suction catheter uses. 

Hospitals and long-term care facilities pride themselves on being equipped to handle most emergencies, from power outages to storms. However, evacuations because of natural disasters are actually quite common.

Sooner or later, every nurse must suction a patient. For nurses who work in intensive care units or emergency care or who support patients with spinal cord injuries, suctioning may be a daily part of the job. When suctioning becomes routine, it’s easy to lose sight of the risks. A few simple precautionary measures can reduce the risk and improve patient outcomes. 

Airway suctioning is a routine part of a first responder’s job. From preventing aspiration pneumonia to clearing the airway of a drowning victim, the right suction machine is an integral part of your EMS toolkit. Yet many paramedics, EMTs, and other first responders avoid suctioning the airway unless they absolutely have to.

Suctioning can be life saving, and may prevent serious complications in the dental office or surgical suite. But suctioning can also be painful and traumatic, especially if the first attempt fails. Suction complications are common and become more likely when you use the wrong suction strategy. These tips can help you choose the right suction strategy for every patient every time. 

When your patient cannot mobilize and clear secretions on his own, you may need to suction his airway. Your method of suctioning will depend on whether the patient has an artificial airway and what portion of the airway needs to be cleared.

Endotracheal suctioning can reduce morbidity and mortality. But like all medical procedures, endotracheal suctioning carries a risk of complications, particularly when treating vulnerable patients or in the hands of inexperienced providers. 

For adults and children, respiratory diseases are typically just a minor annoyance. For neonates, they can be fatal. Respiratory distress is a leading cause of death in newborns, particularly premature infants. In addition to infectious causes, it can also occur in the moments following birth. About 7 percent of neonates experience respiratory distress shortly after being born.

The past year has seen an unprecedented surge in airway emergencies, with millions of people across the globe infected by the COVID-19 virus. Whether your agency previously suctioned people daily or suction is new to your repertoire, odds are you’re doing more suctioning than ever before.