Improperly set vacuum regulators can expose patients to vacuum pressures up to 15 times higher than recommended pressures for suction procedures. Higher than recommended pressures can cause suction induced injury, including derecruitment and tears to the delicate mucosal tissue in the stomach or trachea, leading to bleeding and potential infection. Research indicates that the prevention of suction-induced lung derecruitment is more clinically relevant than reversal of Acute Lung Injury (ALI) or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrom (ARDS). Many clinicians, however, do not fully understand how they can help to prevent these complications through the proper use of vacuum regulators. This program discusses issues relative to suctioning and how the AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines help improve patient safety.
Presented by Bill Lamb, BS, RRT, CPFT, FAARC
**Please note that all programs require the participant to view the entire program prior to taking the final quiz and obtaining a course certificate.**
Approved for 1.00 CRCE Hours.
SEMINAR OBJECTIVES
Explain strategies to avoid hospital acquired infection
Choose the contributing factors that are mechanisms of lung inflammation and damage in mechanical ventilation
Understand how to prevent inadvertent over-suctioning, tissue trauma, and traumatic atelectasis
Identify how current evidence based guidelines address patient safety issues relative to suctioning
Identify actions the RT can take to enhance patient safety