Trach Care Closed Suction Systems & Accessories

Airway management for a patient with a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube demands products that keep the respiratory circuit closed, sterile, and easy to work with at the bedside. This Trach Care collection centers on Ballard closed suction systems and their companion elbows and adapters — the components clinicians and caregivers depend on to clear secretions without disconnecting the ventilator or exposing the patient to contamination.

The heart of the range is the Owens & Minor Ballard Trach Care 72-Hour Closed Suction System (227135), a 12 Fr tracheostomy-length setup with a T-piece, 22mm flex tube, and 15mm swivel adapter. Closed suction means the catheter stays sheathed inside the circuit between passes, so ventilation and oxygenation continue uninterrupted — a real advantage for PEEP-dependent patients and a proven way to reduce cross-contamination risk versus open suctioning. Because it's rated for up to 72 hours of use, it also cuts down on catheter changes and supply waste.

Choosing the right catheter comes down to tube type, French size, and length. This collection carries tracheostomy-length catheters like the 14 Fr Double Swivel Elbow style (221038) with a thumb valve vent, alongside endotracheal-length options such as the 10 Fr 16-inch sterile catheter (210) and the 54 cm adult catheter (2210). Trach-length tubing is shorter to match the more direct airway route of a stoma, while ET-length reaches further for oral or nasal intubation — matching length to the airway prevents catheter tips from either falling short or advancing too deep.

For rebuilding or adapting a circuit, the Airlife Ballard Trach Care Double Swivel Elbows (22103, 21603) provide the flexible, low-torque connection point that keeps tubing from tugging on the stoma. Also here is the Kimvent Closed Suction System (22113), a 14 Fr adult unit with a directional tip, saline Wet-Pak vials, and an MDI port for delivering metered-dose medication straight into the circuit.

Match French size to the patient's tube, confirm trach versus endotracheal length, and keep saline and swivel adapters on hand so suctioning stays sterile and routine.