SuctionShield 101: How the Yankauer Holder Works

Hospital bed with control panel, SuctionShield attached to bed rail, in an exhibition or trade show setting, with people interacting at booths in the background.

What is SuctionShield?

A simple, affordable and effective disposable suction shield for healthcare facilities & hospitals.

SuctionShield 101

SuctionShield is a disposable oral suction tip holster (Yankauer holder) that keeps the suction tip contained between uses to help reduce cross-contamination and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Instead of being stuffed back into the peel pack or left on the bedding, the suction tip rests in a holster that attaches to any horizontal rail. Developed by practicing physicians, SuctionShield is intended for single-patient use for up to 24 hours. It is a simple, practical step toward safer suctioning and patient safety.

The process is simple. The cost is low. The impact is undeniably powerful.

Step #1 - Patient Date & Time Stamp

Following CDC guidelines, change tubing, suction tip and SuctionShield within 24 hours.
Date & time reminder can be placed on the front with sticker.

Medical professional wearing purple gloves preparing a room with a clean SuctionShield, yankauer suction tip and suction tubing.

SuctionShield follows 24 hour use guidelines

Step #2 - Strap SuctionShield to Rail

SuctionShield attaches to any horizontal rail of varying thickness.

Insert strap into the opening, flush with the side body.
An audible ratchet / zip tie sound will be heard when tightening the strap.
Pull strap down to ensure TIGHT hold and avoid tipping.

SuctionShield - Disposable Suction Shield

Healthcare professional in blue scrubs and purple gloves attaching a SuctionShield on a bed rail.

Step #3 - Front Aperture & Tubing Detail

Bent tubing can be placed into small front opening to shut off suction noise.
Bent tubing into front opening can also help with weight distribution and avoid tipping.

A healthcare professional using gloves and inserting suction tubing into a SuctionShield for use in containing oral suction tips with medical equipment visible in a hospital setting.

Close-up of SuctionShield, with yankauer suction tip inserted into holster and tubing pinched in to open receptacle in the front for stability against a white background.

Step #4 - Release Latch & Disposal Details

Push up on release button to loosen strap.
Pull strap up to detach strap around rail.
Recycle SuctionShield in appropriate medical recycling bin.

Suction Shield - Disposable Suction Shield - Strap

SUCTIONSHIELD DO’S AND DON’TS

GRAVITY IS REAL!

For best practice strap SuctionShield to top of bedrail to avoid tipping issues.
Smaller inset photo shows SuctionShield strapped to bottom of bedrail, patient bed is angled up, and suction tip is unstable.

SuctionShield attached improperly on a bedrail a red cross plus sign overlay, resting on a white bedsheet with a plastic package containing a medical item nearby.

SuctionShield strapped to top of hospital bed.

Close-up of SuctionShield with strap inserted into the wrong opening, a red arrow and a red circle with a white 'X' indicating a part to avoid or incorrect use.

PROPER LATCHING TIPS

Do NOT insert strap into the release latch, this does NOT secure the strap around the rail.
To avoid SuctionShield from tipping over pull strap down tight over the rail. To offset the bulky tubing, utilize the front aperture for weight distribution.

PROPER PLACEMENT OF SUCTION TIP

The suction tip is placed in the wider opening on top. This allows for air drying of the suction tip. When suctioning is on all secretions are sucked into the recepticle, keeping secretions where it belongs. The SuctionShield remains dry .
SuctionShield is deep enough to hold the entire suction implement keeping everything contained.

SuctionShield holds the entire suction tip

SuctionShield holster with a transparent tube and oral suction tip contained, attached to bedrail in front of an electronic control panel on a hospital bed.

Person wearing blue gloves cleaning a SuctionShield in stainless steel sink under a running water faucet, with biohazard precautions indicated by a red cross symbol displayed on the image.

SINGLE PATIENT & 24 HOUR USE

DO NOT rinse and repeat. This runs the risk of employee exposure to the contaminated secretions and droplets.
SuctionShield is FDA approved and adheres to the CDC guidelines on 24 hour use and changing of tubing and suction tips.