INFECTION RISKS RELATED TO YANKAUER SUCTION CATHETERS Background1 Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP) is a significant challenge for healthcare providers. • Mortality rates of 20% to 33% have been reported for hospital-associated pneumonia. • Hospital-associated pneumonia has been shown to increase ICU stay by 4.3 to 6.1 days. • Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) increased the direct costs of a patient stay by $40,000. Although the etiology of HAP has many causes, the CDC has identified colonized devices as risk factors1 : • Pathogens causing HAP, such as gram-negative bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus are ubiquitous in healthcare settings. • Procedures such as tracheal suctioning increase the opportunity for cross-colonization. • Endotracheal suction catheters can introduce microorganisms into a patient’s lower respiratory tract.

1. INFECTION RISKS RELATED TO
YANKAUER SUCTION CATHETERS
Background1
Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HAP) is a significant challenge
for healthcare providers.
• Mortality rates of 20% to 33% have been reported for
hospital-associated pneumonia.
• Hospital-associated pneumonia has been shown to increase
ICU stay by 4.3 to 6.1 days.
• Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) increased the direct
costs of a patient stay by $40,000.
Although the etiology of HAP has many causes, the CDC has
identified colonized devices as risk factors1
:
• Pathogens causing HAP, such as gram-negative bacilli and
Staphylococcus aureus are ubiquitous in healthcare settings.
• Procedures such as tracheal suctioning increase the
opportunity for cross-colonization.
• Endotracheal suction catheters can introduce
microorganisms into a patient’s lower respiratory tract.
Colonization rates of Yankauer suction catheters
Two studies have evaluated the contamination rates of Yankauer
suction catheters. Both found high rates of bacterial colonization.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Product # Description and Units/Case
HOL-211-100 iSO-LINE Holster
100 Units/Case
HOL-212-100 iSO-LINE Holster
& Standard Yankauer
100 Units/Case
94% 80%
Yankauer catheters
with potential
pathogens
for VAP2
Yankauer
catheters with
pathogens3

2. References:
1. Tablan OC, et al. Guidelines for preventing health-care-associated pneumonia,
2003: recommendations of the CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices
Advisory Committee. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2004;53(RR-3):1-36.
2. Sole ML, et al. Bacterial growth in secretions and on suctioning equipment of
orally intubated patients: a pilot study. Am J Crit Care. 2002;11(2):141-149.
3. Brown M, et al. Colonization of Yankauer suction catheters with pathogenic
organisms. Am J Infect Control. 2005;33(8):483-485.
SOLE 2002:
Gram-positive bacteria
•Staphylococcus aureus
(not drug resistant)
•S aureus
(methicillin resistant)
•Streptococcus
Gram-negative bacteria
•Klebsiella
•Acinetobacter
•Pseudomonas
•Proteus
•Escherichia coli
•Enterobacter
Yeast
BROWN 2005:
•Candida series
•Enteric gram-negative rods
•Staphylococcus
(coagulese-negative)
•MRSA
•Staphylococcus
(methicillin-resistant)
•Viridans streptococci
•Enterococcus
(vancomycin-sensitive)
•VRE
Bacteria present in Yankauer suction
catheters included MRSA and VRE
Pathogens identified across studies
included both MRSA and VRE
On a shelf
Yankauer suction catheters were commonly stored on shelves,
hanging freely, and on patient beds2,3
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Designated
holder
Equipment
top
Hanging
freely
Patient bed Floor
66%
55%
30%
21%
5%
13%
10%