Pediatric Community

Hi there, our manufacturer does not include weights on the in-line suction catheters (Ballards) for intubated littles (NOT the suction catheters as is already listed on the broselow tape)... And one of the directors wants them included in the peds carts. Does anyone have a chart indicating how to select a size for patients?? I am struggling even to find anything with the manufacturer. 

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

Hi there, our manufacturer does not include weights on the in-line suction catheters (Ballards) for intubated littles (NOT the suction catheters as is already listed on the broselow tape)... And one of the directors wants them included in the peds carts. Does anyone have a chart indicating how to select a size for patients?? I am struggling even to find anything with the manufacturer. 

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

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

Hi there, our manufacturer does not include weights on the in-line suction catheters (Ballards) for intubated littles (NOT the suction catheters as is already listed on the broselow tape)... And one of the directors wants them included in the peds carts. Does anyone have a chart indicating how to select a size for patients?? I am struggling even to find anything with the manufacturer. 

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

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

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

Hi there, our manufacturer does not include weights on the in-line suction catheters (Ballards) for intubated littles (NOT the suction catheters as is already listed on the broselow tape)... And one of the directors wants them included in the peds carts. Does anyone have a chart indicating how to select a size for patients?? I am struggling even to find anything with the manufacturer. 

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

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

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

Hi there, our manufacturer does not include weights on the in-line suction catheters (Ballards) for intubated littles (NOT the suction catheters as is already listed on the broselow tape)... And one of the directors wants them included in the peds carts. Does anyone have a chart indicating how to select a size for patients?? I am struggling even to find anything with the manufacturer.