Mobile suction devices used to support critical care capacity

Medela Healthcare mobile suction devices - an alternative to wall vacuum - can help expand critical care capacity and support UK hospitals in the fight against COVID-19.

Used in Europe and worldwide, the company’s portable medical suction machines are designed to provide suction and fluid removal during respiratory treatment provided with ventilators.

Traditionally, hospitals ensure a patient’s airway is clear by utilising suction that relies on central wall piped vacuum. However, guidance published by the NHS advises hospitals against using piped vacuum to support infectious disease units (IDU) to reduce the risk of virus spread and cross-contamination. 

Rob Rennel, business unit manager at Medela, said: “Medela’s range of portable medical surgical and airway suction devices facilitate the removal of lung secretions in the inflammatory process of coronavirus – offering life-saving support to critical care patients, while mitigating risks facing staff on the frontlines.”

A previous study looking at contamination rates for wall-mounted suction units discovered contamination on over 30% of devices. Hence, portable medical suction machines are recommended for COVID-19 care. Medela offers portable suction pumps which are available with a virus filter capable of reducing cross-contamination from COVID-19. 

When used with disposable collection systems, portable suction machines reduce staff exposure to hazardous fluids, while devices equipped with virus filters further reduce risk of cross-contamination and viral exposure to staff. 

Dr. Stephen Cole, consultant in intensive care medicine at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland, added: “The new reality is that we will need to rapidly increase intensive care units (ICU) bed capacity within two or three-weeks’ notice. We need to prepare, need to plan, need to stock the hardware that we need such as ventilators, suction pumps and monitors.” 

While most patients with COVID-19 recover over time without the need for special treatment, in more critical cases the infection can trigger pneumonia, causing the lungs to become more inflamed and fill with fluid. Research shows approximately 14% of COVID-19 patients require hospitalisation and oxygen support, while a further 5% require admission to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and supportive therapies such as intubation and ventilation.

Standard of care in the ICU requires each patient to be provided with a single suction device, which helps to decrease the risk of lung infections, prolonged hypoxia, and pooling of secretions in the lung.