title: Endotracheal suctioning.
abstract: Endotracheal suction is one of the most common procedures carried out in an intensive care unit. Review of the evidence reveals that both manual hyperinflation and the instillation of saline are not effective and are potentially harmful. The frequency of suctioning, catheter-size, suction pressure and open versus closed systems are discussed. Recommendations for practice are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, HCI International Medical Centre, Clydebank, Glasgow.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McKelvie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000451:nursing*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride