title: Evidence-based guideline for suctioning the intubated neonate and infant.
abstract: The endotracheal tube (ETT) is the most common artificial airway used in NICUs. Suctioning of the ETT is imperative to maintain patency and prevent complications. An extensive review of the literature revealed a lack of standardized criteria or guidelines for suctioning the ETT of neonates and infants in the NICU. The purpose of this article is to report the implementation of an evidence-based guideline that can be utilized in NICU care.
authors.affiliation: Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA. dgard2@capefearvalley.com
authors.forename: Denice L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shirland
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005652:Functional Residual Capacity; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D023421:Models, Animal; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride; D010100:Oxygen