INFECTION RISKS RELATED TO YANKAUER SUCTION CATHETERS

Background1

Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP) is a significant challenge for healthcare providers.

• Mortality rates of 20% to 33% have been reported for hospital-associated pneumonia.

• Hospital-associated pneumonia has been shown to increase ICU stay by 4.3 to 6.1 days.

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) increased the direct costs of a patient stay by $40,000.

Although the etiology of HAP has many causes, the CDC has identified colonized devices as risk factors1:

• Pathogens causing HAP, such as gram-negative bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus are ubiquitous in healthcare settings.

• Procedures such as tracheal suctioning increase the opportunity for cross-colonization.

• Endotracheal suction catheters can introduce microorganisms into a patient’s lower respiratory tract.

Colonization rates of Yankauer suction cathetersTwo studies have evaluated the contamination rates of Yankauer suction catheters. Both found high rates of bacterial colonization.

ORDERING INFORMATIONProduct # Description and Units/Case

HOL-211-100 iSO-LINE Holster 100 Units/Case

HOL-212-100 iSO-LINE Holster & Standard Yankauer 100 Units/Case

94% 80%Yankauer catheters

with potential pathogens for VAP2

Yankauer catheters with

pathogens3

References:1. Tablan OC, et al. Guidelines for preventing health-care-associated pneumonia, 2003: recommendations of the CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2004;53(RR-3):1-36.

2. Sole ML, et al. Bacterial growth in secretions and on suctioning equipment of orally intubated patients: a pilot study. Am J Crit Care. 2002;11(2):141-149.

3. Brown M, et al. Colonization of Yankauer suction catheters with pathogenic organisms. Am J Infect Control. 2005;33(8):483-485.

SOLE 2002:Gram-positive bacteria

• Staphylococcus aureus (not drug resistant)

• S aureus (methicillin resistant)

• StreptococcusGram-negative bacteria

• Klebsiella• Acinetobacter• Pseudomonas• Proteus• Escherichia coli• Enterobacter

Yeast

BROWN 2005:• Candida series• Enteric gram-negative rods• Staphylococcus (coagulese-negative)

• MRSA• Staphylococcus (methicillin-resistant)

• Viridans streptococci• Enterococcus (vancomycin-sensitive)

• VRE

Bacteria present in Yankauer suction catheters included MRSA and VREPathogens identified across studies included both MRSA and VRE

On a shelf

Yankauer suction catheters were commonly stored on shelves, hanging freely, and on patient beds2,3

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Designated holder

Equipment top

Hanging freely

Patient bed Floor

66%

55%

30%

21%

5%

13%

10%