Sputum removal training

  1.Definition: A method to promote the expulsion of sputum from the patient’s lungs through postural drainage, chest percussion, tremor and cough training.  2. Indications and contraindications (1) Indications: Poorly expelled sputum from the lungs.  (2) Contraindications: unstable clinical condition, respiratory failure, other clinical conditions that may lead to deterioration during training, serious cognitive deficits, etc.  3.Equipment and appliances: No equipment is required.  4.Operating methods and steps (1) Postural drainage: Use gravity to promote the discharge of accumulated secretions in each lung segment. Different drainage positions are used according to the lesion site (the lesion site is as high as possible) to drain the sputum from the lesion site to the main bronchus. The frequency of drainage depends on the amount of secretions, and for those with small amount of sputum, drainage should be performed once a day in the morning and once in the afternoon; for those with large amount of sputum, drainage should be performed 3 to 4 times a day, and it is appropriate to perform it before meals.  (2) Chest percussion and tremor: It helps to release the thick and dense sputum from the bronchial wall. The method is for the therapist to tap on the chest wall of the drainage site for 30 to 45 seconds in turn with fingers together and palm in the shape of a cup, using wrist oscillation, while the patient can breathe freely. After tapping, the therapist presses his hand on the lesion and asks the patient to take a deep breath and make a trembling vibration of the chest wall during a deep exhalation for 3 to 5 times, then tapping again, and so on for 2 to 3 times, and then asks the patient to cough to expel sputum.  (3) Cough training: The correct steps are: inhale deeply to achieve the necessary inspiratory capacity, hold the breath briefly to maximize the distribution of gas in the lungs, close the vocal chambers to further enhance the pressure in the airway, increase the intra-abdominal pressure to further increase the intrathoracic pressure, and suddenly open the vocal chambers to form a high-speed airflow rushing out from the lungs, prompting secretions to move and be expelled with coughing.  5. Precautions: Patients must be ensured to have good coughing ability before chest buttoning and tremor treatment, or postural drainage after percussion to avoid sputum from entering deeper parts and being difficult to be discharged.