Dwellness^™ • Standard Suctioning

Standard Suctioning

Dwellness^™ customization for:

Your Patient

DeVilbiss Vacu-Aide 7310 Manual

General Principles

[NOTE: Keep all of your senses open constantly, and you will be able to know your patient's exact condition. Once you get to know all your patient's variable signs that indicate how your patient feels and potential risks, you’ll be able to make observations even when you’re not right up close.]
[NOTE: Your patient's underlying diagnosis can make it hard for your patient to swallow your patient's own secretions effectively. This increases when your patient is tired, usually in the evening. There are clear and distinctive ways for you to detect when this inability to swallow may lead to choking, gagging, and even throwing up. Standard suctioning is one way to intervene.]

Procedures

[NOTE: You are responsible for maintaining the suction machine for quick and easy use at any time. This involves keeping it charged up, clean, and the tubing free from tangles. Always keep the suction machine close by. Always bring the suction machine with you whenever you go out with your patient.]

• Your patient does cough fairly regularly during each day
• Listen carefully for the sound of a cough turning into the sound of gagging
• When your patient is having trouble processing secretions, your patient's face can look flushed sometimes
• Watch for accumulation of secretions inside your patient's mouth

[NOTE: Remember to always “narrate” what you are doing before, during, and after any action you take.]

→ CAUTION: Do not place the tip of the wand too deep into your patient's mouth. This can cause damage and pain in the back of your patient's mouth. It also increases the risk of emesis. ←

1. With sanitized or freshly washed hands, pull out the standard suction wand
2. Turn on the machine
3. Place the tip gently just inside your patient's mouth
4. Sometimes your patient will close your patient's mouth over the wand and “spit” into it
5. Move the wand gently to each side of your patient's tongue
6. Move the wand gently up into the roof of your patient's mouth

→ CAUTION: Do not place the tip of the wand too deep into your patient's mouth. This can cause damage and pain in the back of your patient's mouth. It also increases the risk of emesis. ←

1. Be sure he is comfortable, preferably in the Recovery Position
2. With sanitized or freshly washed hands, pull out the standard suction wand
3. Turn on the machine
4. Place the tip gently just inside your patient's mouth
5. Move the wand gently to each side of your patient's tongue
6. Move the wand gently up into the roof of your patient's mouth

1. Continue to observe your patient carefully
2. Replace the wand in the holder and turn off the suction machine
3. I you have been using it, then clean the suction machine every two hours
4. Charge the suction machine at least every 12 hours

[NOTE: Depending on the frequency of use, exchange the suction machine wand, tubing, and filter every month. Do this more often if there is very frequent use, less often if there is little use. With these same guidelines, exchange the container every three months or so.]