Abstract:
<h4>Aims</h4>To assess the safety and efficacy of avoiding endotracheal suction in postoperative cardiac surgical patients mechanically ventilated for ≤ 12 hr.<h4>Design</h4>A prospective, single centre, single blind, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of avoiding suction in uncomplicated, postoperative, adult cardiac surgical patients mechanically ventilated for ≤ 12 hr.<h4>Methods</h4>Randomization will be performed on return to intensive care (ICU) with allocation to either usual postoperative care including suction or to usual care with no suction (intervention arm). The primary outcome is the ratio of partial pressure of oxygen (PaO<sub>2</sub> ) to fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO<sub>2</sub> ) (P/F) 6 hr after extubation. Pain assessments will be performed before, during and after endotracheal suction (ETS) and the patient experience will be investigated with a brief interview the following day. Ethics approval was received in October 2015.<h4>Discussion</h4>Endotracheal suction is performed as part of airway management but has potential complications and there is little robust evidence to guide practice. This study will add to the evidence base about the need and benefit of endotracheal suction in this patient cohort.<h4>Impact</h4>As there is currently no published evidence about the safety of avoiding endotracheal suction. This study will provide the first evidence about avoidance of endotracheal suction in patients ventilated for less than 1 day. If non-inferior, the results have the capacity to change nursing practice by avoiding a potentially unnecessary procedure, it will build on the body of knowledge about the patient experience.
