Comparison of the endotracheal tube suctioning with and without normal saline solution on heart rate and oxygen saturation

Pre-suctioning normal saline instillation into the trachea is a traditional nursing intervention. In this line, the present study has been carried out to “evaluate the effect of endotracheal suctioning with and without normal saline solution on heart rate and oxygen saturation”.

This semi-experimental study with crossover design was conducted on 50 trauma patients admitted to critical care unit of Shahid Bahonar Hospital of Kerman in 2010. For each patient, suctioning was performed once without and once with 5ml normal saline solution. Heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured and recorded at one, two and five minutes before and after suctioning by standard monitoring apparatus. Data were analyzed by SPSS17 statistical software using independent and paired t-tests.

Heart rate was increased in both groups after the suctioning; however, it was slightly more in group receiving normal saline but not statistically significant. Negative changes in oxygen saturation were higher in saline group compared to the other (p<0.05).

Normal saline instillation prior to suctioning will be accompanied by reduced oxygen saturation, and it is recommended that more suitable approaches, such as moisturizing the inhaled gas, be used for diluting secretions to minimize the related side effects.