Human Factors Associated With the Use of Manual Bulb Suction Devices.

BACKGROUND: Manual bulb suction is commonly used to promote naso-oropharyngeal airway clearance. Human factors of hand placement (radial vs. axial) and relative negative pressure generated are not known. This study is the first step in developing clinical guidelines for safe and effective mechanical use of manual bulb suction to reduce and prevent upper airway injury. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the negative pressure generated when a 2-oz. manual bulb suction device is compressed and released, and hand placement is either in a radial or axial position. METHODS: A total of 87 subjects were recruited using a convenience sampling method to identify hand placement and predicted negative pressures emitted during bulb compression and release. A pressure transmitter system was developed and tested with 666 negative pressure measurements to verify internal consistency and reliability in predicting negative pressure. RESULTS: The majority of subjects compressed the bulb radially (55%). Suction pressures ranged from -42 mm Hg to -81 mm Hg, with a standard deviation of -7 mm Hg. Males tended to have statistically significant higher negative pressures (U = 170, p = .021) when radially compressing the bulb. Females generated statistically significant higher negatives pressures (U = 71.50, p = .001) when axially compressing the bulb. DISCUSSION: A 2-oz. manual bulb suction device creates negative pressures less than 85 mm Hg when using moderate compression regardless of hand placement (radial or axial placement). Further studies are needed to explore additional healthcare provider and patient human factor variables related to the mechanical use of manual bulb suction.

Nasal Airway Clearance for Bronchiolitis.

Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalization in the first year of life with estimated costs to the healthcare system in the United States of $1.73 billion annually. The highest rates of admission occur in the first 3 to 6 months of life. Traditional therapies such as bronchodilators and antibiotics have repeatedly been shown to be ineffective. Thickened nasal secretions cause decreased oxygenation, difficulty sleeping, poor feeding, and respiratory distress symptoms. Bronchiolitis guidelines recommend supportive care such as noninvasive nasal airway clearance with saline to clear obstructed airways, improve oxygenation, and promote optimal infant eating and sleeping. Evidence on the safety and efficacy of use of noninvasive nasal airway clearance as supportive care for infants with bronchiolitis in the acute care setting is presented.

Airway Clearance of the Term Newborn.

PURPOSE: This descriptive, observational study explored the practice of airway clearance of the term newborn at birth. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association, and the European Resuscitation Council have established guidelines for suctioning the well newborn. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Airway clearance practices of nurses, obstetricians, and respiratory therapists at 10 cesarean births and 10 vaginal births were observed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and through content analysis of narratives. RESULTS: All newborns observed experienced at least one airway clearance event and multiple airway clearance passes. Indications for suctioning were not consistent with professional guidelines. Airway clearance procedures and practices were inconsistent. Two suction devices used: the blue bulb syringe and orogastric catheter. If a newborn was suctioned three times, the orogastric catheter was the predominate device used. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: There was a lack of adherence to established clinical guidelines for newborn airway clearance. Further study is needed to identify education of airway clearance guidelines. Specific protocols such as safe suctioning methods, correct device use, and observation of complications associated with airway management need to be developed to support a newborn's healthy transition at birth.

Airway Clearance of the Term Newborn.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore airway clearance practices for the preterm newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive, retrospective medical record review analyzed airway clearance practices in a level III regional NICU from 2016 to 2017 in preterm newborns ranging from 32 weeks to 36 weeks and 6 days. There were 87 preterm newborns and 384 suctioning events reviewed during the entire length of stay. Practices reviewed include device used, frequency, color, consistency, and tolerance of airway clearance. Method of nursing documentation for these practices was also reviewed. RESULTS: Babies born via cesarean required more suctioning (65.5%). Males (60.9%) required more airway clearance events than females (39.1%). After suction events, nurses reported no distress (74%), equal bilateral breath sounds (30%), desaturation (6%), and collectively color change, apnea, or bradycardia (<1%). The most common discharge diagnosis was respiratory distress syndrome (90%). Preterm newborns were suctioned with the blue bulb syringe (15.6%), oral/nasal-pharyngeal suction device (42.7%), and endotracheal suction devices (41.7%). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Electronic medical records promote less detailed, narrative documentation and more point and click documentation. If electronic medical record systems are not designed to gather airway clearance indications, specifics about the procedure and the preterm newborn response to the procedure, evidence-based practice cannot be measured. More studies are needed to evaluate suction practices applied in the NICU setting.

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