By Susan Taplinger
Read time: 3 mins.
Features & Fundamentals is a new series that takes a closer look at essential healthcare products — breaking down what they are, how they work, and why the details matter in clinical care.
Mechanical ventilation is well established as a critical, often life-saving intervention for patients who cannot breathe on their own. What’s less widely understood is that this artificial support bypasses normal airway reflexes and limits the body’s natural ability to clear respiratory secretions. As this mucus accumulates, active removal through suctioning is required to keep the airway clear.
Suctioning typically occurs using either an open or closed approach. Open suctioning requires disconnecting the ventilator circuit to remove secretions, temporarily interrupting ventilation. Closed suctioning removes respiratory secretions without disconnecting the ventilator circuit, allowing ventilation to continue during suctioning.
What It Is
A closed suction catheter consists of a flexible suction tube enclosed within a protective sleeve that stays connected to the ventilator circuit. This enclosed design allows clinicians to remove airway secretions without opening the circuit.
Clinicians use closed suction catheters with artificial airways including:
- Tracheal tubes — placed directly into the trachea to maintain an airway for ongoing respiratory support
- Endotracheal tubes — placed through the mouth or nose into the trachea to deliver mechanical ventilation
What It Does
Closed suction catheters remove respiratory secretions while maintaining ventilatory stability. Ventilation and pressure support remain in place throughout suctioning.
Because the ventilator circuit stays closed, airflow continues and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) remains in place. PEEP keeps airways open at the end of exhalation and supports effective gas exchange.
By avoiding circuit disconnections, closed suction reduces repeated handling of ventilator connections and keeps respiratory secretions contained throughout suctioning, which supports consistency during routine airway management.
Why It Matters
Suctioning directly affects respiratory mechanics and infection control.
When clinicians open a ventilator circuit during open suctioning, airway pressure can drop and respiratory secretions can aerosolize, releasing microscopic particles into the surrounding environment. These changes can affect oxygenation and lung mechanics for patients and increase exposure to potentially infectious material for caregivers.
Closed suctioning helps address these risks by:
- Maintaining ventilation and airway pressure during suctioning
- Limiting aerosol release during an aerosol-generating procedure
- Reducing cross-contamination risk for patients and caregivers
- Supporting infection prevention efforts in ventilated respiratory care
Clinical practice guidelines recognize closed suction as a standard option for managing artificial airways in mechanically ventilated patients, particularly when maintaining ventilation and limiting exposure are priorities.
How It’s Used
Closed suction catheters remain connected to the ventilator circuit and allow clinicians to remove airway secretions as needed.
During suctioning:
- The caregiver advances the catheter through the enclosed sleeve and artificial airway
- Suction removes secretions while ventilation and pressure support continue
- The caregiver withdraws the catheter back into the protective sheath after clearing secretions
Because the system stays connected, ventilator settings remain stable. Over time — and across multiple caregivers and shifts — this approach supports consistent, controlled airway management.
What to Consider
Design details influence how effectively a closed suction catheter supports respiratory care and infection control.
Key considerations include:
- System integrity — a well-sealed design helps contain respiratory secretions
- Pressure support — features such as pressure wiper seals help maintain PEEP
- Catheter flexibility — smooth, flexible tubing supports controlled advancement
- Circuit compatibility — adjustable components help integrate with different ventilator setups
Together, these factors shape consistency, ease of use, and protection during repeated suctioning.
How It’s Trending
Closed suction catheters remain widely used as respiratory care continues to emphasize stability, containment, and repeatable workflows. Growing focus on infection prevention, caregiver protection, and maintaining ventilation during routine procedures continues to reinforce their role in ventilated care.
Learn about Resp-O₂ Closed Suction Catheters.
Stay tuned for more product insights in our Features & Fundamentals series.