In low and middle-income countries, open endotracheal suction catheters are used multiple times to perform suctioning due to limited resources \[1,2\]. Currently, there is limited evidence for using a new suction catheter for each suction pass, acknowledged in a review article of endotracheal suction procedures in paediatric populations \[3\]. Additionally, the latest artificial airway suctioning practice guidelines published by the American Association for Respiratory Care in 2022 did not mention any recommendations regarding suction catheter changing frequency \[4\]. The guidelines adopted a study conducted in 2001 which showed that reusing an open tracheal suctioning catheter is safe and cost effective \[5\]. Therefore, the current evidence of reusing suctioning catheters remains unclear, which rationalize the reason why some resource limited Intensive Care Units (ICUs) use the catheter multiple times during a 12-hour shift, and possibly explain the high ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence in these ICUs \[1,2\]. Therefore, this feasibility study will propose to explore whether single-used suction catheters or multiple used open endotracheal tracheal suctioning catheters flushed with chlorhexidine are associated with reduced VAP incidence and its impact on mechanically ventilated patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Patient intubated with an endotracheal tube and on a mechanical ventilator will receive endotracheal suctioning procedure using an open endotracheal suction catheter that is used multiple times during a 12-hour nursing shift. Flushing of the suctioning circuit will be performed with 40 ml of chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% after every endotracheal suction procedure
Mansoura University
Al Mansurah, Dkahliya, Egypt
Feasibility of intervention
The feasibility and acceptability of the proposed intervention among healthcare professionals in study settings and determine methods for the design of a conclusive randomized controlled trial.
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Patients outcome
Will measure the impact of the proposed intervention on mechanically patients outcomes including Ventilator associated pneumonia incidence (using the modified clinical pulmonary infection score) and length of ICU stay
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.