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Managing Secretions in the Ventilated Patient: The Role of Humidification, Suction, Physiotherapy, Mucolytics and Airway Adjuncts

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Respiratory Disease and its Management

Part of the book series: Competency-Based Critical Care ((CBCC))

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Abstract

Intubation and mechanical ventilation may impair secretion clearance, adversely affect respiratory mechanics and gas exchange, and lead to significant pulmonary complications. This chapter reviews the monitoring and impact of airway secretions in the intubated patient, and describes a number of techniques used to optimise secretion clearance including humidification, suction, physiotherapy, mucolytics and the use of airway adjuncts.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    George Ntoumenopoulos

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  1. George Ntoumenopoulos
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Intensive Care, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    A. McLuckie

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Ntoumenopoulos, G. (2009). Managing Secretions in the Ventilated Patient: The Role of Humidification, Suction, Physiotherapy, Mucolytics and Airway Adjuncts. In: McLuckie, A. (eds) Respiratory Disease and its Management. Competency-Based Critical Care. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-095-1_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-095-1_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84882-094-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-095-1

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