Guidelines for Endotracheal Suctioning Procedure for Nurses

Endotracheal Suctioning Guidelines

Apply suction while withdrawing the catheter: It is important to apply suction while withdrawing the catheter to prevent damage to the tracheal tissue.

Maintain medical asepsis: During suctioning, the nurse should adhere to strict aseptic principles, including thorough handwashing, use of sterilized equipment, and maintaining a sterile field to prevent contamination and infection.

Use a new catheter for each suctioning attempt: To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, a new catheter should be used for each suctioning attempt.

Limit suctioning to two to three attempts: Excessive suctioning attempts can cause trauma and complications, so it is important to limit the number of attempts.

Performing suctioning on a routine basis every 2 to 3 hours may not be necessary as suctioning should be based on the patient's need rather than a set schedule.