Endotracheal suctioning in the ICU adult intubated patient

Abstract

Endotracheal suctioning is an invasive procedure usually performed in the intubated and ventilated patients by nurses and respiratory therapists. This article presents the means for detecting cough up secretions, as well as techniques, indications, and risks of physiotherapy. Besides the discomfort reported by patients, endotracheal suctioning is at risk of infection, trauma, bleeding, cardiovascular instability, hypoxemia, inhalation, and increased intracranial pressure. Application of recommendations improves the procedure. However, the incidence of related adverse events alerts to perform suctioning only when necessary and not routinely. Knowledge of these risks is a strong instigation to perform suctioning after proper training. Preceded by physiotherapy, endotracheal suctioning is more efficacious.