A suction machine is a medical device used to remove mucus, blood, saliva, and other bodily fluids from a person’s airways. It is commonly used in hospitals, care homes, and other medical facilities.
This Mucus is a gelatinous material that lines the lungs, nose, throats and certain other body parts. This contains antibodies and enzymes designed to Kill or neutralize harmful bacteria in the air.
The suction machine works by creating a vacuum that removes the fluids from the airways and prevents blockages that can lead to respiratory distress.
The reason for the excess mucus is inflammation in the respiratory tract caused by the disease. This kicks your mucus membranes into overdrive in an attempt to lubricate and soothe the lungs and airways, but it often leads to way too much extra mucus that is difficult to clear out.
When a suction machine can be used.
Suction Machines are used for patients who:
- Have difficulty in clearing their tracheal secretion. It is also used for a patient who is having difficulty in removing respiratory secretion. Therefore, it provides suction through a sterile catheter, which is used to clear the patient’s airway following clinical guidelines and a sterile technique.
- A suction machine is used for a patient in order to remove foreign substance from a patient’s windpipe and/ or Lungs. This foreign substance is basically objects or substance that is not supposed to be found in the body.
Mainly children and even adults can in anyway place certain objects into their ear, mouth or nose, therefore causing obstruction and difficulty in breathing which therefore can cause life threatening medical situations.
- A suction machine can be used to clear blood from the airway: Suction machines can also be used during surgery to remove blood or other fluids from the surgical site
Benefits of a Suction machine
- Clearing of Airway Obstructions: Suction machines are used to clear the airway of mucus, saliva, and other secretions that can obstruct breathing.
- Improved Respiratory Function: Suction machines can help people with respiratory issues by removing mucus and other secretions from their airway, improving breathing and preventing infections.
- Eases Coughing: Suction machines can make coughing more productive by removing mucus and other secretions from the airway, making it easier for the person to cough up the material.
- Portable: Suction machines are portable and can be used in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and at home.
- Easy to use: Suction machines are relatively easy to operate, making them a useful tool for caregivers and healthcare providers.
- Saves time: Suction machines are faster and more efficient at clearing secretions than manual suctioning methods.
- Comfort: Suction machines can provide comfort to patients by removing secretions that may cause discomfort or lead to breathing difficulties.
How to use a suction machine?
Suction machines can be administered only by care professionals. Therefore, it is worthy to note that this machines works on the principle of negative pressures that creates Vacuum effects that draws out the unwanted material through a flexible tube, known as suction catheter.
To use a suction machine, a sterile suction catheter is inserted into the area that needs to be cleared. The other end of the catheter is attached to the suction machine via tubing. The machine is then turned on, creating a vacuum that draws out the unwanted material. The suction catheter is removed and discarded once the procedure is complete
Here is how you start:
- Wash and disinfect your hands.
- Turn on the machine and connect the connecting tubes.
- Connect a clean and dry suction catheter to the connecting tubes.
- The patient should be laid flat on their back. If the patient prefers a seated position, you may try that. Place a rolled towel under the shoulders.
- Use sterile or distilled water to lubricate the catheter and test the machine’s functioning.
- Insert the catheter into the tracheostomy tube carefully. Ideally the length of the catheter and the tracheostomy tube must be the same.
- Place your thumb over the suction vent and remove it within 5-10 seconds.
- Allow the patient to rest and resume the suctioning if required.
- Once the procedure is over, turn off the machine and discard the catheter.