How to perform tip suctioning

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  1. Gather your equipment and supplies.

  2. An oxygen saturation monitor on a finger

    Make sure the oximeter is on and providing an accurate reading.

  3. Have oxygen available.

  4. Settings on a portable suction machine

    Make sure the suction machine is at the correct setting.

  5. Caregiver washing their hands

    Wash your hands​ well.

  6. A sterile water bottle and a labelled cup of sterile water for suctioning

    Fill a clean container with sterile, distilled water or saline.

  7. Child with a tracheostomy sitting comfortably

    Make sure your child is in a comfortable position (lying or sitting). If your child wears an HME, a tracheostomy cap, a speaking valve or a mask, remove it.

  8. Put on clean gloves.

  9. Tracheostomy suction tip adaptor

    Attach the suction tubing to a clean tip adaptor or “little sucker”. Keep the tip adaptor in a clean casing until just before use. Do not touch the end of the connector that goes into the tracheostomy tube.

  10. Suctioning a tracheostomy tube with a tip adaptor

    Use the tip adaptor at the front of the tracheotomy tube to remove any mucus your child has coughed up. The tip adaptor should not block the entire inner cannula. Only use it for up to 10 seconds at a time.

  11. Pressing the thumb port on a tracheostomy suction tip adaptor

    If there is thumb port on the tip, cover it during suctioning.

  12. Rinse the tip adaptor and tubing by dipping the adaptor into sterile water or saline and suctioning.

  13. Replacing the cap on a tracheostomy suction tip adaptor

    If it has one, replace cover on tip adaptor.

  14. A child with a tracheostomy tube

    Assess and tend to your child’s respiratory status and oxygen needs. Replace your child's HME, tracheostomy cap, speaking valve or mask​, if they use one.

  15. Person pressing the on and off switch on a suction machine

    Turn off the suction unit.

  16. Empty and clean the suction drainage bottles and containers, if needed.

  17. Caregiver washing their hands

    Wash hands well.

  18. Prepare the suction equipment and supplies for the next use.


Last updated: June 29th 2017