AMBU™ BAG

CONTENT

Who needs an ambu bag

Using the ambu bag

Care of the ambu bag

WHO NEEDS AN AMBU BAG

  1. Some babies need to be discharged with an ambu bag and face mask. These are babies who still have breathing problems. They may have:

a.Severe apnea (stop breathing)

b.BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia—a chronic lung disease) with home oxygen

c.Stridor (noisy breathing) due to either softening and/or narrowing (tracheomalacia) of the windpipe

d.Problems withtheir vocal cords.

2.The type of bag you will use is a self-inflating bag. It does not need to be connected to oxygen but can be used with oxygen.

3.The Medical Equipment Company will give you a bag and mask before the baby is discharged.

4.Always keep the bag and mask close to the baby. The bag and mask should always be kept assembled.

USING THE AMBU BAG

1.The ambu bag is used to breathe (bag) for the baby if he/she:

a.Is not breathing

b.Is having difficulty breathing

c.When suctioning the baby.

2.The baby’s airway should be clear of mucus and formula before bagging.

a.Suction the baby’s mouth and nose with a bulb syringe or with a catheter.

3.If the baby is not breathing, stimulate the baby to breathe by either flicking the sole of the foot or rubbing the baby’s back or chest vigorously a few seconds. If the baby does not breathe, beginbagging the baby.

4.Place the baby so the tip of his nose is pointed straight up in the air. A small towel or roll under the shoulders may help to keep the baby in this position.

5.Connect the oxygen tubing to the bag.

  1. Be sure the tubing is connected to the regulator on the oxygen tank
  2. Turn the oxygen on
  3. Set the regulator to a flow of 5-8 liters per minute or a flow ordered by your baby’s doctor.

6.Place the mask over the baby’s mouth and nose using your hand to hold the mask snugly against the face.

  1. The mask should not extend over the chin or rest over the baby’s eyes

b.Place the bag at a 900 angle to the baby’s face. as illustrated below

7.Squeeze the bag briskly using your thumb to exert pressure on the bag and fill the baby’s lungs with air/oxygen. You should squeeze the bag hard enough to see the chest rise as if the baby were taking an easy breath.

8.The rate and length of time to bag the baby depends on the reason for the bagging.

a.Generally, the rate should be about 20 breaths per minute.

COUNT:

Breathe12Breathe

 

Squeeze Pause PauseSqueeze

9.If the baby is having difficulty breathing, bagging can be continued until the baby begins to breathe normally or until emergency help arrives.

10.If the baby’s chest does not rise and you have already suctioned the baby, try to exert slightly more pressure on the bag or reposition the face mask on the baby’s face. If the baby’s chest still does not rise:

a.Turn the baby face down across your arm or face down on your lap, with his head lower than his bottom

b.Give 5 brisk back blows with the heel of your hand between the shoulder blades

c.Turn the baby onto his back and give 5 chest thrusts (position your fingers like for chest compression)

d.Look in the baby’s mouth. If you see the object, remove it with your finger. Do not put your finger in the baby’s mouth unless you see the object

e.Place the baby on his back. Try to give him 2 more slow puffs with the ambu bag or with your mouth to check if the object has moved so that it no longer blocks the airway

f.If you still cannot get air into the baby’s lungs, repeat the back blows, chest presses (thrusts), and, again, try to give the baby 2 breaths. (See section on Choking Baby)

g.Use the bulb syringe to remove any visible mucus or formula. This must be done quickly without panicking!!!

11.Once the object has been removed, bagging can be continued until the baby begins to breathe normally or until emergency help arrives.

CARE OF THE AMBU BAG

  1. Ambu bags should be taken apart and cleaned with the solution recommended by your home equipment company or soaked in a white distilled vinegar mixture.
  1. Bags should be cleaned
  1. Twice a week if the bag is used daily
  2. Once a week if it is out of the package and lying in the crib or near the baby
  3. After every use in an emergency.

3.To clean with Vinegar

  1. Mix 64 ounces of tap water and 64 ounces of white distilled vinegar in a covered plastic container at room temperature
  2. Bottle water is best, but tap water may be used. If using tap water, allow the hot water to run for 3-5 minutes before mixing
  3. Wash bag and mask with mild liquid soap and warm water. Do not use bar soap.
  4. Rinse well with warm water
  5. Place disassembled (taken apart) bag and mask in the solution
  6. Soak for at least 3 hours or overnight
  7. Remove equipment, rinse well with water and let air dry
  8. Throw away vinegar solution after each use.

4.To clean with the Control III (usually recommended by your home equipment company)

  1. Follow the directions on the package for mixing solution
  2. Bottle water is best, but tap water may be used. If using tap water, allow the hot water to run for 3-5 minutes before mixing
  3. Store the mixture in a covered container at room temperature
  4. Wash bag and mask with mild liquid soap and warm water. Do not use bar soap
  5. Rinse well with warm water
  6. Place disassembled (taken apart) bag and mask in the solution
  7. Soak for 10 minutes. Do not leave it longer as it may harm the bag and mask
  8. Remove equipment, rinse well with water and let air dry
  1. Throw away solution after each use.

Reviewed/Revised: 07/98…..06/13

Ambu Bag 1