Using a Yankauer suction catheter for adult patients: a carer's guide
Information for patients from the Inpatient Physiotherapy Department
Training is needed before using the Yankauer suction catheter. Only use the catheter if you can see secretions in the mouth.
The following information is for carers who are helping an adult patient use a Yankauer suction catheter at home. This leaflet will support your training by explaining the following.
What to do before you start using the device.
When not to use the device.
How to use the Yankauer suction catheter.
What side effects to look out for. What to do if the patient has any side effects.
What to do if the device is faulty or stops working.
We hope this leaflet answers some of the questions you may have. If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak to your trainer.
Do not try to use the Yankauer suction catheter if the patient is experiencing any of the following
Do not try to remove the following with suction:
a solid object
an inhaled foreign body
This could result in the object being forced further into the airway. It could possibly cause a complete obstruction / blockage. If this happens, please call 999.
If the patient has any of the following symptoms, ask for medical advice from their GP or call 111 before using suction.
Bleeding from the mouth. Suction can make this worse.
Severe wheeze / gasping (bronchospasm / stridor). Suction will make this worse.
High or low blood pressure / heart rate. Suction will make this worse.
Coughing-up blood (haemoptysis). Suction will make this worse.
Recent face, mouth, neck, or head injury / surgery.
If the patient is finding it increasingly hard to breathe or is showing signs of respiratory distress, please call 999. Symptoms could include one or more of the following.
Rapid / fast breathing rate.
Struggling to breathe.
Very noisy breathing, including wheezing, gasping, or grunting.
Using shoulders to help breathe.
Restlessness or exhaustion.
Struggling to talk in full sentences.
Blue colouring of the lips.
What should I do before I start using the Yankauer suction catheter?
Make sure you have the following equipment
A home suction unit.
A Yankauer suction catheter.
Clean gloves and a bag for disposables. If you need these, you must provide them yourself.
Access to cold water.
Instructions for setting up the device
Prepare to use the suction catheter
Explain to the patient that you are going to begin treatment. Make sure they are happy to proceed.
Wash and dry your hands. If you are using them, put on protective gloves.
Make sure the patient is in a comfortable position (upright in bed or a chair).
Check the suction unit is assembled correctly, and the device is not damaged.
Turn the suction unit on. Adjust the pressure (using the turn dial) to no more than 20kPa / 150mmHg.
Attach the Yankauer suction catheter to the suction tubing.
Research suggests that suction vacuum pressure should be set as low as possible to clear secretions. This will help avoid injuring the patient's airways.
How do I use the Yankauer suction catheter?
Hold the Yankauer suction catheter between your thumb and forefinger.
Insert the Yankauer catheter into the patient's mouth.
If you are using a Yankauer catheter with a plastic opening, put your thumb over the opening to apply suction.
Move the Yankauer catheter around the mouth to clear any secretions you can see.
Important points
Do not insert the Yankauer suction catheter beyond where you can see.
Please be extra careful when suctioning at the back of the patient’s mouth. This can make them gag and vomit.
After suctioning, please check the secretion's colour, consistency, and amount.
Check the patient:
is comfortable
their respiratory rate and oxygen saturations (if monitored) have returned to normal
their breathing looks comfortable / normal
is not showing any signs of distress
has no blue colouring to their lips
If the patient has not returned to normal within a few minutes, please call 999 for advice.
Yankauer suction catheters can be used again, as long they remain clean and are changed at least every 24 hours. You will need to dispose of them if they:
come into contact with a dirty surface, such as the floor
look dirty
are unable to be flushed clean with cold clean water
If this happens you will need to use a new Yankauer suction catheter next time the patient needs oral suction.
If you can still see secretions, please repeat steps 1 to 6 above.
Flush the Yankauer suction catheter and suction tubing with cold, clean water.
Turn off suction unit
Empty the suction container by disposing of the contents down a toilet.
What are the possible side effects of suction?
If the patient experiences any of the following side effects, please stop suctioning immediately. If symptoms continue when you restart suctioning, please call 999 for advice.
Increased / decreased heart rate.
Infection.
Gagging or vomiting.
Airway spasm or wheeze.
Pain, distress, or discomfort.
Injury to the soft tissue around the mouth or in the airway, for example bleeding.
Damage to teeth.
Respiratory distress including:
increased breathing rate
struggling to breathe
gasping
very noisy breathing
blue colouring of the lips
Drop in oxygen saturations (if monitored) below their normal levels.
What should I do if the device develops a fault?
If the suction unit breaks or develops a fault, please unplug the device from the mains and do not use it.
To return the faulty unit and get a replacement device, please contact Medequip.
Medequip
Telephone: 01322 917909 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Email
Please go to your nearest Emergency Department or phone 999 if:
your suction unit breaks outside of Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
you become unwell or are concerned that you need urgent treatment to clear your chest
There is no routine or scheduled maintenance needed for the suction unit. The service life of the device is 5 years. If you have any questions about servicing your suction unit, please contact Medequip.
The suction unit’s filter will need to be changed every 2 months. For the DeVilbiss Vacu-aide 7325 home suction unit, please see page 11 of the manufacturer’s guidance.
[Web sites last accessed 2 September 2026]
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