(A125) Handheld Tracheostomy Suction Pump: Bridging Gaps between Hospital Discharge and Home Tracheostomy Care

Introduction: Tracheostomy tube/stoma suctioning is critical in tracheostomy care. Patients cannot be discharged from the hospital without receiving a suctioning device for home care, though obtaining these tools can be time-intensive and result in delayed discharge. We present the experiences of seven patients with an affordable handheld manual suction device for tracheostomy care and discuss the device’s potential to bridge gaps between hospital discharge and home tracheostomy supply delivery.

Methods: Seven patients who underwent tracheostomy at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) in 2023 received handheld manual suction devices and standard electric suction devices while in the hospital.
Patients were taught how to use both devices and, prior to discharge, received a six question survey to assess ease of use and perceived effectiveness of each device. Secondary outcomes assessed include patient-reported confidence and safety of each device. Four questions were formatted as a 1-5 Likert scale, where one represents “Not at All” and five indicates “Very”; the remaining two questions allowed “Yes” or “No” responses. “Not applicable” was an option for all six questions.

Results: All seven patients who received a handheld manual suction device completed the survey. On average, patients rated ease and effectiveness of the standard electric suction device at 4.8 and 4.7 out of 5, respectively. The average rating of ease and effectiveness of the handheld manual suction device were 5.0 and 5.0 out of 5, respectively. Six of seven patients felt confident and safe using the electric suction device; the remaining patient responded, “Not applicable”. All patients reported feeling confident and safe using the handheld manual suction device.

Conclusions: Patients who underwent tracheostomy at the UNMH rated handheld manual suction devices highly for ease of use and effectiveness and felt safe and confident with the device. Handheld manual suction devices are an affordable and patient-accepted option to facilitate discharge in patients with new tracheostomy while they await delivery of their home electric suction devices.