Mallinkrodt Hi Lo ET Tubes

[northernmedic]

Does anyone currently use these in their service? We are in the process of switching to them to come in line with our hospital's airway management program in the prevention of ventilator acquired pneumonia. I have heard they are stiffer and may be a bit more difficult to intubate with. We are just gearing up for our training so any input is helpful.

[FUBAR]

We have been using the hi-lo for about a year now here in Calgary. No real difference really other than they don't come packaged with a stylet. And watch out for the over anxious medic who will try to inflate the suction port.

[AZCEP]

This is a pretty slick device. To add to FUBAR's suggestion, remember not to leave the suction on continuously. The rigidity of the tube actually makes it easier to place, you just have to be more careful with how much force you use. Haven't really had any problems with the switch.

[fiznat]

Huh, a suction port on an ET! Sounds like a cool idea-- does it work well?

[Dustdevil]

Hmm... I can't quite picture this, or even why it might be beneficial.

Where is the suction tip or tips? What exactly are you suctioning? The tube interior or the patients airway?

[Spock]

The suction port is just above the balloon. The idea is to prevent ventilator acquired pneumonia because this area never gets suctioned and bacteria may accumulate here and migrate around the balloon into the lungs. Not sure it has ever been proven. We tried them for a while but the cost was $12.00 vs. $1.10 per tube. Of course if you prevent one case of pneumonia you recoup the cost. I found no difference in placing the tube from a clinical standpoint. The hospital decided not to use them but the decision was made by folks above my pay grade so I don't know the logic involved (if any).

Live long and prosper.

Spock

[AZCEP]

The cost alone means that EMS won't use it :evil:

Place a standard tube, transport, let the receiving facility worry about the bugs.

Heck of a state of affairs.