Tube Suctioning

Home care instructions for suctioning a trach tube

You will need to suction your child’s trach tube in order to remove the secretions (mucous) that build up in the tube. You will use a catheter and suction machine to do this.

What do I need to know about keeping the tube clean?

  • Make sure to suction the trach tube according to the schedule your child’s doctor gave you. Suction at least once every 8 hours to make sure the tube does not get clogged.
  • Suction to no deeper than 1 centimeter (10 mm) beyond the end of the trach tube. Do not go any deeper unless your doctor told you to.
  • You need to perform “clean suctioning.” This means that you must:
    • Wash your hands and put on gloves before suctioning.
    • Make sure the catheter does not touch anything before you use it.
    • To reuse the catheter, flush the catheter with sterile or distilled water when you are done suctioning and put it back into the package.

How do I know when the trach tube needs to be suctioned?

You should suction your child’s trach tube when:

  • You notice changes in your child’s breathing (especially if he or she is breathing faster than normal)
  • You child has a lower oxygen saturation
  • Your child’s breathing is “noisy”
  • The measured peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) is higher than usual or the measured tidal volume is lower than usual on your child’s ventilator

What supplies do I need to suction the tube?

  • Self-inflating manual resuscitation bag with a pop-off valve and swivel attached to oxygen (if your doctor orders it)
  • Pulse oximeter
  • Suction machine
  • Suction catheters
  • Gloves
  • Sterile normal saline vials for instillation
  • Tape measure

How do I prepare to suction the trach tube, and do open and closed suction?

Download the following education sheet for step-by-step instructions on how to prepare to suction the trach tube, do open suction and do closed suction.

Tube suctioning education pdf

Whom should I call if I have questions?

Please call your primary care provider for more information or if you have any questions. If your child needs emergency care, call 911 right away.