Concept analysis was performed on the behavioral concept of endotracheal suctioning (ETS), to identify the goal, to develop astandardized clinical protocol, to identify the antecedents and consequences, and to differentiate the improper use of ETS.

Walker & Avant's concept analysis was employed using clinical guidelines, books and review articles in which the procedures of ETS were written in detail and published in Pubmed within the last 20 years.

The macro-goal of ETS was to remove accumulated respiratory secretions. Three defining attributes of ETS were identified; catheter, suctioning and asepsis. Each attribute involved empirical referents, such as the size and depth of thecatheter, the suction pressure, duration and method for suctioning. The antecedents of ETS were identical to the clinical evidences for the need of ETS such as the nursing assessment data. The consequences of ETS serve as an evaluation criteria on the effectsof ETS based on the goal of ETS.

The concept analysis of ETS demonstrates an example of considering a specific nursing protocol of ETS as a behavioral concept, applying concept analysis to it to identify it's key behavioral components as defining attributes and empirical referents and then developing and applying the standard ETS protocol.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a closed endotracheal suction system(CES) on oxygen saturation, ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP), and nursing efficacy in mechanically ventilated patients.

This study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a University Hospital in Gwangju City. Data was collected from July to October, 2003. Seventy mechanically ventilated patients were randomly divided into two groups; 32 for CES and 38 for open endotracheal suction system(OES) protocol. Twenty one nurses were also involved to examine the nurses' attitude of usefulness about CES.

SaO₂ was significantly different between CES and OES. The incidence of VAP in CES was lower than that of OES. Nursing efficacy was related to time, cost, and usefulness of the suction system. Time of suctioning in CES was shorter than that of OES. CES also contributed significantly to lower the cost of treatment than OES. The usefulness score of CES increased after 6 months of use.

CES prevented VAP, was cost effective, and a safe suctioning system. CES ncan be used with patients with sensitivity to hypoxygenation and with a high risk of VAP.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the suction-induced hypoxemia interventions.

30 suction-induced hypoxemia interventions were reviewed for the purpose of meta-analysis.

The study showed that both preoxygenation and insufflation were the most frequently examined oxygenation time periods, and hyperoxygenation combined with hyperinflation was the most commonly applied oxygenation method in order to prevent suction-induced hypoxemia. The greatest effect was obtained by providing oxygenation before and after suctioning, whereas negative effect(the contrary results from the study hypotheses) was frequently obtained by applying insufflation only. Applying hyperoxygenation combined with hyperinflation had the greatest effect over that of applying hyperoxygenation only, even though the difference between effect sizes of both methods were statistically significant.

The results of meta-analysis showed that the occurrence rate of hypoxemia after suctioning was significantly reduced with the overall interventions for hypoxemia (decreasing 40% of occurrence rate), independent with time periods or methods for providing oxygenation.

This study was conducted to compare effects of open and closed suctioning methods on lung dynamics (dynamic compliance, tidal volume, and airway resistance) and hypoxemia (oxygen saturation and heart rate) in mechanically ventilated patients.

This study was a cross-over repeated design. Participants were 21 adult patients being treated with endotracheal intubation using a pressure-controlled ventilator below Fraction of Inspired Oxygen (FiO₂) 60% and PEEP 8 cmH₂O. Data were collected at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 minutes after suctioning. Data were analyzed using two-factor ANOVA with repeated measures on time and suctioning type.

Effects of the interaction between suction type and time were significant for oxygen saturation and heart rate but not significant for dynamic compliance, tidal volume, or airway resistance. Prior to performance of suctioning, tidal volume and oxygen saturation were significantly lower, but airway pressure and heart rate were significantly higher using the closed suctioning method as compared with the open suctioning method.

For patients on ventilator therapy below FiO₂ 60% and PEEP 8cmH₂O, open suctioning performed after delivery of 100% FiO₂ using a mechanical ventilator may not have as much negative impact on lung dynamics and hypoxemia as closed suctioning.

This study was conducted to identify endotracheal colonization and the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia related to the type of endotracheal suction system.

The participants in this study were ICU patients hospitalized between October 2009 to March 2010 who used ventilators for over 48 hr with closed (CSS, n=30) or open (OSS, n=32) suction systems. To standardize the pre-intervention suction system, a suctioning protocol was taught to the ICU nurses. Collected data were analyzed using χ²-test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank sums test, Wilcoxon test, Log-rank test and Poisson regression.

Endotracheal colonization was higher in OSS than CSS from day 1 to day 8 while using a ventilator and there was a significant difference between the two groups. The CSS reached 50% of endotracheal colonization by the 4th day, whereas for the OSS, it was the 2nd day (p=.04). The incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia showed no significant difference.

For patients with a high risk of pneumonia, CSS must be used to lower endotracheal colonization.