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Related Experiment Videos

Methodologic issues associated with secretion weight as a dependent variable in research using closed-system suction

J D Steuer1, K S Stone, J Nickel

  • 1Capital University, Columbus, Ohio 43209, USA. Jsteuer@capital.edu

Nursing Research
|September 29, 2000
PubMed
Summary
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Moisture accumulation in closed-system suction catheters (CSSC) during mechanical ventilation can skew secretion weight measurements in endotracheal suctioning (ETS) research. This study developed a method to account for this added weight, improving research accuracy.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Respiratory Therapy
  • Clinical Research Methodology

Background:

  • Closed-system suction catheters (CSSC) are used in mechanical ventilation to prevent ventilator disconnection during endotracheal suctioning (ETS).
  • Accumulation of moisture within CSSC and its sleeve was observed during prolonged attachment to patients.
  • This moisture presents a methodological challenge for accurately measuring secretions as a dependent variable in clinical research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a valid, reliable, and practical method for weighing secretions obtained via ETS using CSSC.
  • To quantify the weight change in CSSC due to moisture accumulation after a 30-minute attachment period to mechanically ventilated patients.

Main Methods:

  • A weighed CSSC and sputum trap were attached to mechanically ventilated adults for 43 minutes (30 minutes for stabilization, 13 minutes for simulated ETS).

Related Experiment Videos

  • No actual ETS was performed during the attachment period.
  • The CSSC and sputum trap were reweighed post-attachment to determine the wet weight.

    • Main Results:

    • Fifty critically ill, mechanically ventilated adults participated.
    • The mean wet weight of the CSSC (including accumulated moisture) was 0.5142 ± 0.1215 grams.
    • In a subset of 37 patients, paired wet weights showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02), indicating consistent moisture gain.

    Conclusions:

    • Moisture from humidification systems or the patient accumulates in CSSC during attachment.
    • This accumulated moisture represents a 'wet weight' that is not actual secretions retrieved during ETS.
    • Researchers should exclude this non-secretory wet weight when measuring secretions as a dependent variable in ETS studies.