In hospital emergencies, patients with impaired breathing processes are often admitted in whom little to no gaseous exchange is occurring. This happens when a bodily fluid fills the respiratory pathway thus hindering the air to move in or out of the lungs. In such cases, suction units or aspirators come in handy. These machines are employed to remove the fluids like saliva, mucus, airway secretions, blood, etc. out of the respiratory tract which is causing obstruction. In this regard, machines like the Laerdal suction unit are usefully utilized in healthcare setups for the management of emergency cases.
Statistics of Respiratory Emergencies in the US
According to the statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the year 2022, it has been estimated that in the United States, 4.6% population has been affected with respiratory diseases including COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.
As these patients often require timely medical help due to respiratory obstruction, the number of patients who have visited a medical facility only for worsened COPD as their primary diagnosis nears 791,000.
If not properly attended, the mortality rate of these patients is approximately 42.9%. These numbers indicate that an early management of respiratory obstruction caused due to a disease state, trauma, or drug overdose causing vomiting within the airways can save many lives.
Conventional Methods of Respiratory Clearance
To deal with patients with respiratory obstruction, multiple conventional methods can be employed. If the patient is conscious, she or he is asked to cough. In the case of a child, the Heimlich Maneuver method can be employed. Home-based options such as taking steam should also be given preference.
As a first-line treatment, the introduction of oxygen via the nasal cavity is attempted to ease the process of gaseous exchange. This high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) is proven to be hugely beneficial as it reduces the force needed to be utilized by the patient to perform the process of breathing. If the condition does not improve, the patient requires suctioning.
What is a Laerdal Suction Unit?
A Laerdal suction unit, abbreviated as LSU, is an aspirator that is employed to clear the airway passage in case of respiratory obstruction. It performs its job by sucking the fluids with force thus opening the passage for breathing.
First introduced in 1969, the device has been continuously improved to construct the latest versions. Owing to its specifications as well as advantages, it is a preferred choice when it comes to dealing with patients with respiratory obstruction.
Advantages of the Laerdal Suction Unit
In general, all the suction units have massive utility in healthcare setups. But for LSU, their distinct features particularly designed to perform their job make them stand out from other suction devices. The Laerdal suction units have the following advantages:
• Laerdal suction unit is light in weight, portable, and easy to operate. Due to its portability, the product can be used in hospitals as well as during field emergencies.
• Its one-hand-grip design facilitates by allowing a single healthcare provider to operate the machine.
• Its user-friendly interface allows swift operation even under stressful situations.
• Laerdal suction units have high adaptability with various catheters and attachments for diverse patient needs.
• The suction unit is splash-free which makes it safer to use for the operator.
• Laerdal suction units can also be employed alongside other medical instruments such as defibrillators.
• After use, it is easy to disassemble and clean the suction unit.
• The LSU is reliable and has consistent suction capabilities ensuring quick airway clearance.
Specifications and Features of the Laerdal Suction Unit
Some of the most commonly employed Laerdal suction units include the following:
Laerdal Compact Suction Unit (LSCU 4)
Laerdal suction units are affixed with an LED display which indicates suction and battery levels among other parameters. A control panel is also present which has a color-coding for children’s vacuum range area. When it comes to pressure, Laerdal suction units can reach a vacuum capacity of 500+ mmHg.
Moreover, it has a flow rate of greater than 25 LPM which exceeds international standards. The canisters of the suction unit are reusable as well as semi-disposable systems.
Battery running time is 45 minutes and the device can be charged automatically up to 3 hours once connected to power. The anti-splash property of the suction unit helps reduce the chances of contamination. The Laerdal suction unit has a warranty of 5 years.
V-VAC Manual Suction Unit
V-VAC manual suction unit has a weight of only 0.3 kg which makes it compact and easily portable. Due to their small size, these devices can be easily packed in EMS bags or first-aid kits. As the device works manually, suction is applied by hand to make it push out the obstructing fluid at a rate of 70 liters per minute.
Penguin Suction Device
Penguin suction device particularly works for babies who have been infected with viruses or allergens. As these conditions restrict the airflow as well as the feeding process, it is essential to suck this fluid out. Penguin tubes are manually operated by putting them into the child’s mouth. The generated force pulls the fluid out into the device thus clearing the passage.
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Conclusion
Every year, multiple patients arrive at the hospital emergency department complaining about their blocked airway passage. Most of them cannot breathe properly and are feeling pressure on their lungs.
Considering their extremely lowered blood oxygen levels, the physicians rush to empty the patient’s respiratory tract by applying an aspirator or a suction unit. In this regard, the Laerdal suction unit is a good choice.
Due to their unparalleled performance, ease of use, and adaptability, the Laerdal suction units play a lifesaving role in airway management across various medical emergencies thus an indispensable tool for healthcare professionals.
Purchasing medical devices from reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 ensures the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
Throughout her career, Uzma has actively contributed to the pharmaceutical sciences, with specific research on suspension formulation and Hepatitis C risk factors and side effects. Additionally, Uzma has lent her expertise to review and fact-check articles for the Health Supply 770 blog, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information presented.
As she continues her PhD, expected to complete in 2025, Uzma is eager to contribute further to the field by combining her deep knowledge of pharmaceutics with real-world applications to meet global professional standards and challenges.
