User's Manual

Capnography
21-5
Patient Connection
Respiration can be monitored via an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube.
Mainstream capnography is a highly accurate method of measuring respiratory
gas values. There are several variations of closed circuit tracheal suction systems
that can be used with Spacelabs Medical capnography units. Spacelabs Medical
recommends the Ballard style tracheal suction system.
Closed Circuit Tracheal Suction Systems
Closed circuit tracheal suction systems (such as those provided by Ballard)
extend the life of the endotracheal tube and associated tubing by allowing the
endotracheal tube to be periodically suctioned without detaching it from the
ventilator circuit. Spacelabs Medical recommends use of Ballard Model #221
elbow closed tracheal suction systems, or similar systems, with Spacelabs
Medical capnography units. Such a system allows the Spacelabs Medical airway
adapter to be placed outside the tube through which fluids are being suctioned,
reducing the chance of occluding the airway.
Spacelabs Medical does not recommend use of traditional setups that require the
airway adapter to be in line with the endotracheal tube. However, if you prefer a
traditional setup such as the Ballard Model 2205 style, using the Ballard Model
112 adapter moves the airway adapter away from the suction catheter.
Figure 21-1 shows examples of setups using the Ballard Model #221 and Model
2205 style (with Model 112 adapter). Similar closed systems, such as the Concord
Portex (not shown), must be placed in the ventilator circuit in the same positions
as shown in Figure 21-1.
Figure 21-1: Ballard setups
To start capnography
monitoring:
1 Plug the module into the
monitor.
2 Plug the sensor connector into
the monitor.
3 Perform sensor calibration, if
necessary.
4 Prepare the patient according
to hospital procedures.
5 Select appropriate airway
adapter (neonate or adult).
6 Verify that windows are clean
and dry.
7 Place sensor head over the
airway adapter and perform an
adapter calibration, if
necessary.
8 Remove the airway adapter
from the sensor head.
9 Insert the airway adapter into
the ventilator circuit and Ballard
style tracheal suction system (if
present) as shown in Figure
21-1.
10 Attach the sensor head to
airway adapter.
11 Ensure that the sensor head is
always positioned above the
ventilator circuit so that
moisture will not enter the
adapter.
suction catheter
Ballard Adapter #112
ventilator circuit
mainstream airway
endotracheal tube
Ballard closed tracheal suction system
endotracheal tube
ventilator circuit
suction catheter
with adapter (Model 2205/Adapter #112)
Ballard elbow closed tracheal suction
system (Model 221)
or
adapter
adapter
mainstream airway
sensor head
sensor head