Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association
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Comparative Study
Comparison of a closed (Trach Care MAC) with an open endotracheal suction system in small premature infants.
To determine whether ventilated, low birth weight infants treated with closed versus open tracheal suction in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) differ as to airway bacterial colonization, nosocomial pneumonia, bloodstream infection (BSI), incidence and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), neonatal mortality, frequency of suction, reintubation, and nurse preference. ⋯ Closed suction obviates the physiological disadvantage of ventilator disconnection without increasing the rate of bacterial airway colonization, frequency of endotracheal suction and reintubation, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospitalization, incidence of nosocomial pneumonia, nosocomial BSI, severity of BPD, and neonatal mortality. Although slightly more expensive, closed suction is perceived by nursing staff to be easier, less time-consuming, and better tolerated by small premature infants requiring mechanical ventilation for > or = 1 week.