Sleeved suction catheters

christyw · #1 12-02-2003, 10:07 AM

Hello all. I know I've heard of sleeved caths before, and I think I've even used one----but I don't understand how they stay clean all day? Someone said on another post that this keeps them clean....can you all explain this to me? I understand that it keeps the outside of the cath from touching things, but what about when it is inserted into the trach tube..?

Thanks!

christy

Jacob's Mom · #2 12-02-2003, 12:30 PM

Christy,
I can only speak from our experience with keeping the catheters "clean". Â*For the first 8 months after Jacob got his trach our insurance only allowed us 150 cathethers per month (5 per day). Â*We had no choice but to reuse them because Jacob had to be suctioned several times an hour some days. Â*We were instructed to keep the catheter clean by always rinsing it with saline and keeping it covered, which in our case was putting it back into the paper sleeve. Â*(We have always used Medline catheters with paper sleeves.) Â*So, while this doesn't keep the catheter sterile, it keeps it as clean as possible while it is being used. Now we can get up to 500 per month, but I never order that many. Â*We have a $1 million cap on our insurance policy, so we have to be resourceful when we can. Â*Also, Jacob doesn't need nearly as much suctioning now that he wears the PMV all day. Â*

With all this said, Jacob has never had any type of infection in or around his trach. Â*

I hope this answers your question.

Â*

christyw · #3 12-02-2003, 04:51 PM

Amanda,

Our catheters come in paper sleeves, but I have actually seen catheters that have a plastic sleeve attached to them, that covers the outside of the catheter from end to end, and it can't be taken off, unless you rip the plastic, but I don't think you're supposed to. I thought this is what was being referred to.

We reuse catheters too - we only get 100 a month, but we do fine since we do reuse. However, I don't have other caregivers reuse, unless it's my mother ---so at school they may use 5 or more in a day.

christy

Laurie · #4 12-02-2003, 10:16 PM

Evan used the sleeved catheters while on the vent in the NICU and I seem to recall that his was changed once per day. I think there was a small port where saline could be inserted into the catheter, and then you applied the suction without inserting the catheter into the trach to draw the saline through and clean it following suctioning. But, I am now finding it difficult to recall how they worked. They switched us to the open, unsleeved catheters a couple of weeks before discharge. Hope this helps.

angelbaby · #5 12-04-2003, 02:21 PM

we use the sleeved caths also. we change them if they get to gunky or at least twice a day. the cath sits in the plastic and when you go to suction you pull it back and then when you are done you recover it. i really don't think it is sterile, considering when you tip suction you are touching the same area as the cath is, plus, when the cath is laying there i am sure that stuff can grow on them. but i guess that is really all we can do. i have been told that the trach area is not sterile anyway b/c it is exposed to air.

angel baby's mom

Jimmysmom · #6 12-06-2003, 07:36 AM

Hi

I was really amazed that most kids with vents or trachs do not used sleeved suction catheters at home. I thought it was a given when they came home. I wouldn't trade the cath and sleeve catherters for anything. In fact when we go to the hospital I usually take a supply of those with us as we are the ones who do the majority of the suctioning. We clean the catheter with sterile water after each use but then change it out only once a day. Insurace pays for about 100 a month. One a day for our stationary and then one a piece for our two portable suction machines..

Take care

Anne, mom to Jimmy (4) infantile Axonal Neuropathy, trach, vent dependent, g-tube, spinal fusion with growth rods.