Comparison of open and closed suction on safety, efficacy and nursing time in a paediatric intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Endotracheal suctioning (ETS) is one of the most common procedures performed in the paediatric intensive care. The two methods of endotracheal suctioning used are known as open and closed suction, but neither method has been shown to be the superior suction method in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

PURPOSE

The primary purpose was to compare open and closed suction methods from a physiological, safety and staff resource perspective.

METHODS

All paediatric intensive care patients with an endotracheal tube were included. Between June and September 2011 alternative months were nominated as open or closed suction months. Data were prospectively collected including suction events, staff involved, time taken, use of saline, and change from pre-suction baseline in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Blocked or dislodged ETTs were recorded as adverse events.

FINDINGS

Closed suction was performed more often per day (7.2 vs 6.0, p<0.01), used significantly less nursing time (23 vs 38 min, p<0.01) and had equivalent rates of adverse events compared to open suction (5 vs 3, p<0.23). Saline lavage usage was significantly higher in the open suction group (18% vs 40%). Open suction demonstrated a greater reduction in SpO2 and nearly three times the incidence of increases in HR and MAP compared to closed suction. Reductions in MAP or HR were comparable across the two methods.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, CS could be performed with less staffing time and number of nurses, less physiological disturbances to our patients and no significant increases in adverse events.

Comparing influence of intermittent subglottic secretions drainage with/without closed suction systems on the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia

CONTEXT

Intermittent subglottic drainage (ISD) of secretions is recommended for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) as it reduces microaspiration from the area around the cuff. Poor suction techniques can contribute to VAP, hence closed suction system (CSS) may have theoretical benefit in VAP prevention. Combination of these two techniques may provide added advantage.

AIMS

To study the influence of ISD with/without CSS on the incidence of VAP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 311 patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 72 hours were collected retrospectively. They were divided into four groups as follows: group A, no intervention; group B, only CSS; group C, only ISD; and group D, ISD with CSS. These groups were compared with respect to incidence of VAP, duration of MV, length of ICU and hospital stay and ICU mortality.

RESULTS

Patients in the four groups were comparable with respect to age, sex ratio and admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores. Incidence of VAP per 1000 ventilator days in groups A, B, C, and D were 25, 23.9, 15.7 and 14.3, respectively (P=0.04). There was no significant difference in the duration of MV (P=0.33), length of ICU (P=0.55) and hospital stay (P=0.36) and ICU mortality (P=0.9) among the four groups.

CONCLUSIONS

ISD of secretions reduces the incidence of VAP. CSS alone or in combination with ISD has no significant effect on VAP incidence. Hence, ISD may be recommended for VAP prevention, but indications other than VAP prevention should determine the type of the suction system.

Comparing influence of intermittent subglottic secretions drainage with/without closed suction systems on the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia

CONTEXT

Intermittent subglottic drainage (ISD) of secretions is recommended for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) as it reduces microaspiration from the area around the cuff. Poor suction techniques can contribute to VAP, hence closed suction system (CSS) may have theoretical benefit in VAP prevention. Combination of these two techniques may provide added advantage.

AIMS

To study the influence of ISD with/without CSS on the incidence of VAP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 311 patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) for more than 72 hours were collected retrospectively. They were divided into four groups as follows: group A, no intervention; group B, only CSS; group C, only ISD; and group D, ISD with CSS. These groups were compared with respect to incidence of VAP, duration of MV, length of ICU and hospital stay and ICU mortality.

RESULTS

Patients in the four groups were comparable with respect to age, sex ratio and admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores. Incidence of VAP per 1000 ventilator days in groups A, B, C, and D were 25, 23.9, 15.7 and 14.3, respectively (P=0.04). There was no significant difference in the duration of MV (P=0.33), length of ICU (P=0.55) and hospital stay (P=0.36) and ICU mortality (P=0.9) among the four groups.

CONCLUSIONS

ISD of secretions reduces the incidence of VAP. CSS alone or in combination with ISD has no significant effect on VAP incidence. Hence, ISD may be recommended for VAP prevention, but indications other than VAP prevention should determine the type of the suction system.