Skip to content

John’s Troubleshooting Tip of the Month: Stationary Suction Machine, Low or No Suction

PHS understands how stressful it can be when a piece of equipment isn’t working properly, and we want to help resolve any issues as soon as possible for you. So, once a month, PHS Respiratory Therapist, John Sheahan will post a tip on how to troubleshoot a common error with a piece of equipment.

If your suction machine has low or no suction, check the possible causes and solutions below. If, after following the steps below, you’re still having issues, call at PHS clinician at 651-642-1825.

Stationary Suction Machine Troubleshooting

Machine is not plugged in or is not turned on.

  • Plug machine into a working 3-hole outlet.
  • Press ON/OFF switch to turn machine ON.

Suction pressure is not properly set.

  • Make sure suction pressure is set as instructed by your PHS Clinician.
    1. Turn machine ON.
    2. Block end of Suction Tubing.
    3. Read outer numbers on Pressure Gauge.
    4. Use Control Knob to adjust to desired Safe Suction Pressure.

LOW or NO pressure at Regulator Port

  • Turn machine ON. Use finger to completely cover Regulator Port. Check suction pressure by reading outer numbers on the Pressure Gauge. Turn Control Knob to adjust pressure to desired Safe Suction Pressure level.
  • If LOW or NO suction pressure, call PHS.
  • If pressure is at desired Safe Suction Pressure, continue to next step.

LOW or NO pressure at end of Filter

  • Connect one end of the 3 inch Tygon Tubing to the Regulator Port and the other end to one side of the Filter. Turn machine ON and feel for suction on the side of the Filter without the Tygon Tubing.
  • If there is LOW or NO suction, replace Filter with a new one and recheck suction pressure.
  • If pressure is at desired Safe Suction Pressure, continue to next step.

LOW or NO pressure at Patient Port

  • Connect one end of the 10 inch Tygon Tubing to the free end of the Filter. Connect the other end to the Elbow Adapter on the Vacuum Port of the Canister lid. Turn machine ON. Feel for suction at the Patient Port on Canister lid.
  • If there is LOW or NO suction:
    1. Dump contents of Canister, if full, into toilet. Tap the Overfill Float on Canister lid to make sure it moves up and down.
    2. Make sure there are no cracks in the Canister. Throw out cracked Canister and replace with new one.
    3. Make sure the Canister lid is firmly attached.
  • If pressure is at desired Safe Suction Pressure, continue to next step.

LOW or NO pressure at end of Suction Tubing

  • Connect Suction Tubing to Patient Port on Canister lid. Turn machine ON and feel for suction at open end of the Suction Tubing.
  • If LOW or NO suction, throw out Suction Tubing and replace with new Suction Tubing. Recheck suction pressure.
  • If machine continues to have LOW or NO suction, call PHS at 651-642-1825 to speak with a PHS Clinician.

(Precision Medical® EASY VAC PM-60 Stationary Suction Machine)

John Sheahan, RRT-NPS, LRTJohn Sheahan, RRT-NPS, LRT is a Licensed Respiratory Therapist at PHS and would love to hear from you if you have a tip that you’ve found helps when working with your equipment, or have an idea for a Troubleshooting Tip post. Share your tip or idea through a comment here or an email to John at jcsheahan@pediatrichomeservice.com.

Originally published: February 7, 2011
Comments

Leave a Comment