How Does Suctioning Work?
Normally, when a person coughs, secretions are brought up to the back of the mouth and either swallowed or spit out. With a breathing tube in place, normal coughing cannot occur. In order to keep the breathing tube clear, a small tube is placed in the breathing tube and the secretions are sucked out. This is called suctioning. The staff will listen to the person’s lungs often to see if suctioning is needed. You may be asked to step out of the room during this time. How Do I Know that the Ventilator Is Working Properly? Respiratory therapists work with the nurses and doctors 24 hours a day to make sure that the ventilator is working right. They will check the ventilator at least every four hours and adjust it as needed. Routine blood samples will also tell us how the person is doing while on the ventilator. We can adjust the settings on the machine as the person improves. What If Something Goes Wrong? The ventilator has alarms that warn the medical team right away if something is wrong.
