Suctioning Your Tracheostomy

Call 911 right away if you ever have trouble breathing.

Step 1. Collect your supplies

• Find a clean, well-lighted space near a sink and mirror. Collect your supplies: a suction machine, a clean suction catheter, and a small bowl of distilled water.

• Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water, or clean your hands with a waterless gel-based alcohol cleanser. Then put on clean, disposable, powderless gloves.

Step 2. Prepare to suction

• Turn on the suction machine to the setting that your healthcare team gave you.

• Attach the suction catheter to the suction machine. Dip the catheter tip into the distilled water to assure the suction is working.

• Do the following only if your healthcare provider tells you to: Put a small amount of sterile saline solution into your trach tube. This will help loosen mucus.

Step 3. Insert the catheter

• Take a few deep breaths to fill your lungs with oxygen.

• Gently insert the catheter into your trach tube. While you insert the catheter, don't suction. Stop inserting the catheter when you start to cough.

  

Step 4.  Apply suction

• Apply suction. At the same time, slowly pull the catheter out of your trach tube. Move the catheter tip in a circle as you pull the catheter out.

• The catheter should be out of your trach tube within 5 to 10 seconds. If you need to suction more, relax and breathe for a few minutes before you start again.

• When you have finished suctioning, turn off the suction machine. Discard the used catheter, water, and gloves.