Trach-Assist® Disposable Product Family
The Trach-Assist family product line of innovative disposable devices is
designed to help the clinician manage secretions produced by intubated
patients.
The first offering in this product line, the Trach-Assist is:
- An airway connector designed for use between an endotracheal tube (ET
tube) or a tracheostomy tube and a closed suction system.
- Secretions are collected in the special reservoir allowing clinicians to
easily remove them with the installed closed suction catheter without
breaking the circuit.
Trach-Assist Features
- Low internal volume
- Lightweight (less than 1 oz.)
- Easily adjustable to the Reservoir Suction Position
- Allows the clinician to suction the patient’s artificial airway normally
- Swivel fitting allows for easy positioning
- Can be used with Endotracheal or Tracheostomy tubes
- Can be used with or without a closed suction system
- Prevents splashing from coughs during extubation or resuscitation
Airway Suction Position
Reservoir Suction Position
Issues with Circuit Breaks
Circuit “breaks” have been identified as risk factors for:
- VAP (Ventilator Associated Pneumonia)
- Incidence of lung de-recruitment and hypoxemia
- Loss of high PEEP
The CDC Guidelines for Preventing Health-Care-Associated Pneumonia state,
“Do not change routinely on the basis of duration of use the breathing
circuit (i.e., ventilator tubing and exhalation valve and the attached
humidifier) that is in use on an individual patient. Change the circuit when
it is visibly soiled or mechanically malfunctioning.” VAP is one of the
major hospital acquired infections (HAI). The reduction/prevention of these
infections is extremely important to the healthcare system.
Issues with Secretions in Circuits
Currently, secretions that are not managed can lead to the following:
- Premature circuit breaks due to soiled circuit components, such as HME
filters, pneumotachs, and aerosol tees. Increased circuit changes can
lead to:
- Increased costs
associated with circuits and circuit components
- Increased labor
associated with circuit changes
- Increase waste
associated with circuit changes
-Secretions that permanently travel back and forth between the artificial
airway and the circuit.
-Secretions that become trapped in the ventilator circuit, such as in the
narrow passageways of other components, which may lead to ventilator alarms.
Home