EAC Suction Equipment

Question 1

Indications for use of suction

Answer 1

Regurgitation in the unconscious pt

Excessive sputum

Blood from maxilla-facial or head injuries, epistaxis or abdominal haemorrhage

Excessive salivation in stroke patients

Injuries to pharynx or obstruction of oesophagus

Clearance of oro-pharyngeal airways

Question 2

incorrect use of suction could lead to:

Answer 2

Soft tissue damage

Vagal stimulation

Removing oxygen from the airways (too long at a time)

Question 3

how to run serviceability test on LSU

Answer 3

press and hold the test button while setting the operating knob to 500+mmHg

Keep test button pressed for two seconds

The test will start immediately

As soon as LED two lights up occlude the patient suction tubing

Keep occluded until LED one relights

Question 4

capabilities of running times LSU

Answer 4

500mmHg is 25L/min and from full charge runs for 45min

1L capacity

Question 5

cleaning LSU

Answer 5

Replace disposable items

Ensure contaminated parts are placed in yellow clinical waste bin

Do not dispose of canister holder or vacuum connector

Clean all external surfaces using LAS infection control cleaning systems

Do not stand or soak and parts of LSU in water

Question 6

capabilities of Suction-Easy

Answer 6

fluid capacity 1L

vacuum force 100mmHg

Question 7

suction catheters

Answer 7

Yankuer - hard/angled catheter

CH8 soft, flexible

CH18 soft flexible (larger)

Question 8

cautions suctioning laryngectomy pt

Answer 8

Use catheter to suction the stoma for not more then 3-5secs inside

And no longer then 15secs at a time around the outside

Only remove the tube from a stoma if completely blocked and only as a last resort

Question 9

correct suction technique

Answer 9

Only suction on the way out of the mouth

Suction in a figure of 8 motion

Suction for no longer than 10 seconds at a time

unconscious patients suctioned on their sides where possible

Question 10

how to use:

Suction-Easy

Answer 10

Remove packaging

Pull out tube until stop/lock is felt.

Remove obvious solids too big for tube from pt’s airway

grasp bulb between thumb and forefingers… squeeze bulb

Question 11

General Points

Answer 11

Always use aseptic technique

Reduce suction pressure when aspirating children

Don’t allow reservoir to overfill as aspirant will contaminate pump unit

Clean thoroughly after use

Perform function test at start of shift and check battery is in

when using on a pt who has taken poison try and retain a sample