Home Suction Machine Vs. Hospital-Grade Devices: What’s The Difference?
According to the American Lung Association, nearly 11.1 million adults are living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. As the disease is associated with swelling and irritation of the airways, production of excessive mucus is inevitable, which restricts breathing. Therefore, one of the ways to increase the quality of life of such patients is to ease their respiration, leading to better oxygenation. Here, the role of both the home suction machines as well as hospital-grade systems becomes prominent.
Patients with chronic respiratory illness often require suctioning
In this article, we will learn about home suction machines, along with the hospital-grade devices, in terms of their similarities and differences. In addition, some of the well-known suction machine brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.
What are Home Suction Machines?
A suction machine or an aspirator is a medical tool that is employed to clear out the airway passage by removing any semi-solid or solid object from it. This way, the airway remains open and the patient can enjoy unrestricted breathing. Depending upon the suction pressure, the product can suck blood, vomit, mucus, or any foreign objects stuck in the windpipe.
Home suction machines are the portable versions of the device that are easy to carry around. Due to their smaller size, the product does not require much storage space and is, therefore, ideal for places where space is an issue. These systems are necessary for patients who are suffering from chronic respiratory or neuromuscular disorders.
What are Hospital-Grade Suction Devices?
Hospital-grade suction devices are similar products intended for the same purpose. However, they are often bigger and bulkier in size and can generate a higher suction pressure. In most cases, these units are kept stationary or fixed in one location, often in operating rooms or intensive care units (ICU).
As for the wall-mounted suction machines, they are integrated systems that are also restricted to a single location within a healthcare facility. However, some of the hospital-grade systems are portable as well, that are battery-operated and, therefore, can be transferred from one room to another.
Difference between Home Suction Machines vs. Hospital-Grade Devices
When it comes to making a comparison between the home suction machines and hospital-grade systems, numerous differences lie in their construction and features. Some of these have been detailed as follows:
Suction Power
Suction power refers to the force with which the device pulls out the obstructed material from the airway passage. This power creates a vacuum and sucks the liquid, semi-solid, or solid objects out of the windpipe into the collection canister.
In home suction machines, this suction power is lower as these systems are designed to be used for lesser suction needs. As for the hospital-grade systems, the achievable suction power is significantly higher to fulfill severe suctioning needs. These systems can also pull viscous substances out of the body.
Portability
Portability of a suction machine allows its use at multiple locations, as the system can be moved around with ease. In this regard, the home suction machines are lightweight devices that have a compact size. These features enable the user or the caregiver to carry them with ease.
The portable suction machines are also suitable for traveling, a feature that helps patients with respiratory issues to have clear airways at all times. Their battery-operated feature further eases transportation.
However, when it comes to hospital-grade systems, they are usually not portable due to their bigger size and bulkier construction. As these devices have been designed to remain stationary, they are either wall-mounted within an emergency room or fixed on a wheeled cart, that enables their use in different locations.
Construction and Durability
The construction of both home suction machines and hospital-grade systems is durable. However, when both are compared, it is revealed that later systems are stronger and, therefore, long-lasting. The reason lies in the nature of work that both systems have to perform.
The home suction machines are designed for use with a single patient. The holding canisters affixed to the system are also often disposable. This lighter and simpler design makes them portable, which is their primary benefit.
However, the hospital-grade suction machines are designed to be used for multiple patients. Therefore, a stronger construction is a necessity. Also, as these systems have to work on higher suction pressures, they are so designed to tolerate higher force levels.
Power Source
While using medical equipment, one of the important concerns is the power source it requires for its operation. In this regard, most devices either connect to a power source or use rechargeable batteries.
Between the home suction machines and hospital-grade suction systems, the former work on rechargeable batteries, which take a few hours to charge and last from 45 minutes up to 9 hours, depending upon the type of batteries. In addition, the battery runs out quickly if the device is used continuously. Therefore, keeping a set of spare batteries is highly recommended to achieve an unhindered suction operation from portable machines.
For the hospital-grade systems, the power needs are much higher due to their frequent use on multiple patients. Therefore, using rechargeable batteries is not an option. Here, the device is connected to a centralized power source. Some of these also need to be plugged into the standard hospital AC power outlets, while some others use a 12-volt battery.
Illnesses causing excess mucus production often demand suctioning
Applications
Apart from their specifications and features, the home suction machines and hospital-grade suction systems also differ in terms of their applications. Let us take a look at how each of these is employed and what benefits can be achieved:
Uses and Benefits of Home Suction Machines
Management of Chronic Respiratory Illnesses
Home suction machines are extensively used for patients who are dealing with chronic respiratory issues, including COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, etc. This is because in most of these cases, patients experience excess mucus production and swelling within the airways. As a result, breathing gets hindered due to a lessened oxygen supply to the alveoli. To clear out this mucus, home suction machines are employed.
Maintenance of Tracheostomy Tube
Among patients who have undergone a tracheostomy, there is a need to keep the stoma and tracheostomy tube clear and unobstructed. This way, it becomes possible to maintain a patent or open airway to facilitate breathing. This clearing and maintaining of the tracheostomy tube can be achieved using a home suction tube.
Post-Operative Patient Care
Home suction machines are often used by patients who have gone through certain surgeries involving chest, abdominal, and reconstructive procedures. Their primary job in such situations is to drain the fluid accumulated in the area by generating a gentle negative pressure. As a result, the overall healing is sped up.
Emergency Usage
In some cases, the home suction machines also come in handy when a foreign object gets into the airways, resulting in its obstruction. Such situations can become critical as the patient can choke and experience serious medical consequences. Keep in mind that home suction machines are undoubtedly a necessity for high-risk populations, including elderly or disabled individuals.
Uses and Benefits of Hospital-Grade Suction Machines
Maintenance of Clear Airways
Like home suction machines, hospital-grade systems are also employed for keeping the airways clean to facilitate patients having difficulty in breathing, primarily due to certain respiratory disorders. These are also useful if the patient cannot clear the respiratory passage with coughing.
Maintenance of Surgical Site
Suction machines are often employed to suck out blood, irrigation fluid, and other substances from the site of surgery. This way, the healthcare team gets a visible surgical field that enhances the accuracy of the procedure.
Wound Care
After a surgical procedure has been conducted, keeping the site clean and hygienic is essential for rapid healing. Here, hospital-grade suction systems are employed to achieve cleanliness at the wounded area.
Emergency Care
For patients requiring emergency care, like resuscitation to revive their stopped breathing, hospital-grade suction systems prove to be helpful. For this purpose, a suction catheter is inserted into the patient’s mouth, and the machine is turned on to apply gentle negative pressure. This way, airways can be cleared out within a few seconds.
Suction machines provide emergency care for patients experiencing choking
Suction Machines at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Suction machines are widely used in home settings as well as in healthcare facilities. Their job is to clear the airway passage and ensure unobstructed breathing by suctioning out mucus, blood, vomit, or any foreign objects that hinder the airflow.
However, when it comes to learning about home suction machines, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known suction machine brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:
Drive Medical 18600 Suction Pump Portable Home Heavy Duty Aspirator Machine ~NIB
US$279.99
Product Details
Drive Medical 18600 portable home heavy duty suction pumps are the heavy-duty suction devices that are known for their superior performance and high efficiency in terms of clearing out the airways. The product offers multiple vacuum levels, the maximum of which reach up to 560 mm Hg.
Owing to their small size, these Drive Medical 18600 portable home heavy duty suction pumps can be stored in small and confined spaces. Moreover, compact size also ensures portability that enables the user to carry the device around even while traveling.
Furthermore, these Drive Medical 18600 portable home heavy duty suction pumps have an anti-vibration vacuum that keeps the device steady during usage. The lid of the holding canister provides a stronger seal that reduces the risk of material overflow or spillage.
Drive Medical 22330 Universal Suction Machine Tubing and Filter Replacement Kit with Canister Pack of 1
800cc Disposable Suction Canister Kit – Assembled
US$28.49
Product Details
Drive Medical 22330 Universal suction machine tubing and filter replacement kits are the products that comprise of a disposable holding canister with a capacity of 800 cc. A 72-inch-long suction tube is also provided that goes through the patient’s airways and sucks out mucus or any obstructing material as soon as the device is switched on.
Moreover, these Drive Medical 22330 Universal suction machine tubing and filter replacement kits also have a hydrophobic filter that blocks the entry of collected material into the machine. A flexible, 10-inch long tubing is also provided that connects the holding canister with the vacuum pump.
*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Suction machines help patients with respiratory illnesses breathe easily
The products linked in the article, while learning about home suction machines, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of healthcare products.
Conclusion
The obstruction of the airways is a common issue among patients with asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, etc., as these diseases tend to cause inflammation of the airway passage, leading to increased mucus production. Resultantly, patients feel an obstruction of the airways that restricts breathing.
Here, the role of suction machines becomes significant as they can clear out the mucus, blood, vomit, or other foreign objects from the windpipe by generating a negative pressure. In this regard, both home suction machines and hospital-grade systems are useful. Where home-based devices are smaller and portable, hospital-grade systems can generate higher suction pressure to provide additional benefits.
Considering their importance, home suction machines should be kept in healthcare facilities to accommodate the patients in need. For purchasing different kinds of medical devices, including home suction machines, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
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