Weekly versus daily changes of in-line suction catheters: impact on rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia and associated costs.

Abstract

We conclude that (1) a policy of weekly (vs daily) change of in-line suction catheter is associated with substantial cost savings, with no significant increase in the frequency of VAP, and (2) to the extent that these findings confirm the results of prior studies they support a policy of changing in-line suction catheters weekly rather than daily.