Patient Advocacy Patient Advocate The Patient Advocate’s Handbook Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Suction Machines And Equipment Troubleshooting

If your loved one has trouble swallowing or has a tracheostomy (a surgically created hole in the throat to allow air to pass), chances are respiratory (airway and lung) suctioning will be part of ongoing home healthcare. Suctioning is usually done at the hospital by a respiratory therapist or nurse, but at home, you may have to perform suctioning and train others to fill in for you.

Ask nurses at the hospital for training. Practice suctioning techniques in front of the nurses, so you can demonstrate your ability and show an understanding of related lung and respiratory issues. Nurses can also give you training in measuring blood oxygen and giving supplemental oxygen.

Ask the home healthcare supply company technician delivering and setting up the bedside suction equipment to show you how to use, clean and troubleshoot it.

The two most typical home healthcare suction machines are described, so the troubleshooting tips offered should apply to most home bedside suction equipment.