Hi Madisyn - So here's my humble thoughts after confirming with a few peds RT's - For suction catheter sizes (traditional one time sx as well as ballard (ballard chart size attached) that fit down little one's ETT tubes - There's a few ways to quickly figure this out & then to stock your "color coded crash cart", i.e. broselow cart, with correct sizes
- the broselow tape for each color lists the suggested suction catheter size to use/go on your cart
- the handtevy app for each color lists the suggested suction catheter size to use/go on your cart
- if the broselow tape, handtevy app, any of your available cheat sheets are missing, for several years in my CPEN review courses, I simply suggest the 2x/3x/4x rule...
2x - there are hopefully 2 lungs, so 2 times the ETT size is the suction catheter more or guess that should fit down the ETT - & as a bonus, 2x the ETT is also more or guess the appropriate size NG & Foley -
3x - there are 3 letters in ETT - so 3x the ETT is more or guess where you should secure the ETT at the teeth/gumline
4x - in the horrible event that a little one needs a chest tube, 4x the ETT size is more or guess the size of the traditional chest tube (or an even smaller size with more & more pigtails being used - but I haven't come up with an easy trick to remember pigtail sizes yet...)
broselow, handtevy, cheat sheets, & 2x/3x/4x - all will help you figure out the correct tiny tube sizes for your carts
cheers
scott
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Scott DeBoer RN,MSN,CPEN,EMT-P
Founder
Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions
Reunion, Florida
888-280-PEDS (7337)
Scott@PediEd.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2024 11:31 AM
From: Madisyn Kephart
Subject: Any literature or guide for in-line suction catheter sizing is needed for each color of broselow?
Hi, Scott,
Thank you very much for your reply. If you receive anything and are able to forward, I have also attached my email as I tend to see that sooner.
Many thanks!
Maddy
kephart.madisyn@mayo.edu
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Madisyn Kephart BSN;RN
Registered Nurse
Wisconsin State Council
Eau Claire WI
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2024 09:28 AM
From: Scott DeBoer
Subject: Any literature or guide for in-line suction catheter sizing is needed for each color of broselow?
Hi madisyn
I sent your query to a few much smarter than me in this area peds RT's for their insights - will forward any replies
cheers
scott
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Scott DeBoer RN,MSN,CPEN,EMT-P
Founder
Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions
Reunion, Florida
888-280-PEDS (7337)
Scott@PediEd.com