Tracheal suctioning in children with chronic tracheostomies: a pilot study applying suction both while inserting and removing the catheter.

This pilot study compared two methods of tracheal suctioning in the same 18 children with chronic tracheostomies. Use of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommendations resulted in a significant increase in secretions obtained (t = -3.96; p = .001) when compared with traditional practice. The ATS-recommended method was also more efficient in children with secretions. When used first, no additional secretions were obtained after 90 minutes using the traditional method. Additional secretions were obtained with the ATS-recommended method when the traditional method was used first. Heart rate and oxygen saturation immediately and 1 minute after suctioning were not significantly different between methods.