Patients with dysphagia face an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia (AP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). When oral secretions accumulate, they can contain harmful pathogens and be inadvertently inhaled into the lungs, causing infection. Standard intermittent suctioning often fails to clear all secretions between sessions, leaving a persistent risk. By implementing continuous oral secretion management ensures saliva, mucus, and drooling can be consistently removed, significantly reducing bacterial colonization and the occurrence of aspiration events. An NIH Study concluded that continuous suction can reduce VAP by 70%, the length of ICU stay by 51% and the duration of mechanical ventilation by 46%.

Current guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia mention continuous oral suctioning with endotracheal tubes with subglottic secretion drainage ports. However, these devices are expensive and may not be readily accessible to all healthcare providers. Manual suctioning is often only performed hourly or as-needed, relying on the availability of skilled nursing staff. This operational burden can compromise patient safety.

SWIK® Is An Efficient, Cost-Effective Way to Manage Oral Secretions

SWIK® is an oral secretion management system that is suitable for intubated or ventilated patients, non-invasive ventilator (NIV) patients, post-stroke individuals, neurogenic dysphagia, trauma cases, and others struggling with impaired swallowing and secretion control. SWIK features a soft, wicking foam mouthpiece that is engineered to sit gently between the gums and lip, providing continuous, hands-free oral secretion management. Connected to a portable or wall-mounted negative pressure pump, SWIK gently removes secretions for up to 12 hours before replacement is needed. By continuously clearing secretions, SWIK addresses the root causes of aspiration and VAP, potentially leading to fewer infection-related complications and shorter durations of both ventilation and ICU stays. Nurses only need to replace the device twice a day, which saves valuable clinical hours while ensuring better patient support.

Continuous management of oral secretions is a proven yet underutilized method to prevent aspiration pneumonia and VAP in patients with dysphagia. The SWIK system offers an innovative, practical solution, bridging clinical guidelines with user-friendly technology.

Key Benefits of SWIK®:

• Provides hands-free, continuous oral secretion management
• Comfortable and gentle on oral tissues
• Discreet design for patient comfort
• May reduce infection risk and nursing interactions
• Controls drooling and manages various fluid viscosities
• Holds up to 5 mL of oral secretions without negative pressure assistance
• Up to 12 hours of use, with less medical waste than traditional methods
• Connects to portable or wall-mounted negative pressure pump (not included)
• Reimbursable hospital expense (HCPCS Codes A4628, A7002)

For more information or a demonstration contact your local MED Alliance Group sales representative, call 888-891-1200 or email us.

MED Alliance Group is a medical device distributor dedicated to meeting the needs of our clinical customers and manufacturing partners since 1998. We specialize in the sales, marketing, importation, logistics and distribution of innovative, high-quality and cost-effective products found in anesthesia and respiratory, blood and transfusion therapy, EMS and emergency room, interventional radiology and cath lab, iv and vascular, as well as NICU and PICU.

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