Suction catheters

Dylansmom · #1 06-11-2006, 09:20 PM

Okay I am new at this so please let me know if I am doing anything wrong!!

I have a question about suction catheters.

Dylan used to be suctioned all the time 24/7, then when he was about two he got this amazing cough reflex, along with a realy bad temper. When I attempted to suction him, he would hold his breath and turn blue so I decided to stop suctioning him unless it was a plug or emergency. This has worked for us for the last two years pretty well I think he has only been suction maybe 4 times at the most, but now I have boxes of suction catheters. I can not find an experation date on the boxes or the individual packages, so do they expire??

If they do not expire I have about 4 boxes (with about 50 in each box) of Airlife Tri-flo Suction Catheters with Control Port- 8 french/ sterile.

If someone can help me figure out if they expire, I might be able to share them with others who is in need.

Thanks, Brittany
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Lingerie

sandra · #2 06-11-2006, 09:24 PM

I would not think they would expire. As long as they are still in the sterile packaging, I would think someone could use them.

masonsmom · #3 06-11-2006, 10:08 PM

Brittany,

I am not a expert on this but Mason nurse and resident at St.Jude told me that all medical things "expire". Not that you can't use them but the company cannot ensure sterlization after the "experiation" date. But if there is no date shouldn't be a problem. I am using suction cathers from about a year ago and Mason hasn't died yet. I was probably no help at all

I am a little loopy

Mom2TwinsPlus1 · #4 06-11-2006, 10:27 PM

I know they exp but you are right they dont say when. Emmas are made by cardinal health (Airlife) and so I emailed the company I will let you know what I find out.

Dylansmom · #5 06-11-2006, 10:33 PM

Thanks.

I would love to share them if anyone is in need, but wuold like to make sure they are safe (not expired). All of them are individually sealed which should make them still sterile I believe???
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Pov vids

Sharon26 · #6 06-12-2006, 09:37 AM

Hi
From my experience, the old ones (When I did not rotate my stock and then found them later) yellowed a little bit and become very rigid, not as flexible as the "fresh" ones.

Mom2TwinsPlus1 · #7 06-12-2006, 09:46 AM

Still no reply from Cardinal Health but its still early on a monday I am sure they are busy. I will let everyone know if I hear anything

sassyangel4u2nv · #8 06-12-2006, 01:16 PM

I ASKED MY NURSE AND SHE STATED AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT EXPOSED TO MOISTURE AND THEY ARE NOT OPENED TO AIR THEY SHOULD BE COMPLETELY FINE. I WOULD SAY IF YOU DONT WANT TO USE THEM, IS THERE A GROUP HOME THAT YOU CAN DONATE THEM TO ? THAT IS WHAT I AM PLANNING ON DOING AFTER ERICKA IS TOTALLY OFF THE VENT.

Mom2TwinsPlus1 · #9 06-12-2006, 01:25 PM

I asked my nurse last night and she said they do expire, meaning that the comp can only guarantee them sterile for so long even if they are unopened. She said the center she used to work at had to send them back after a certain amount of time but she isnt sure what that time period was.