Endotracheal suction for adult, non-head-injured, patients. A review of the literature.

The procedure for endotracheal suctioning was perceived as a problem by the members of a quality circle in the intensive care unit (ICU). Endotracheal suction, when performed in the unit, appeared to be carried out according to the nurses' experience and expertise, and had no formal research backing. An extensive literature search was undertaken, and a framework for endotracheal suction was formulated based on the available evidence. Some of the aspects of endotracheal suction represented in the research evidence appear contradictory, and nurses must make a professional judgement about their suction technique based on the individual circumstances of patients. The wealth of evidence available regarding endotracheal suctioning allows nurses to make an informed decision about care.