Who this sheet helps
This checklist may help families, home health aides, respite caregivers, school teams, day program contacts, travel companions, and trusted helpers who need to locate supplier contacts, backup supply notes, and care plan locations.
Why this may matter in an emergency
Suction-related information can be split between bags, labels, supply drawers, home health notes, supplier paperwork, and family memory.
A concise sheet can help a caregiver or responder find contacts and documents faster, but it does not replace clinical instructions, emergency services, device manuals, or the person's care plan.
Suction machine handoff notes
Handoff notes can point to equipment, supplies, contacts, and official instructions. Do not write steps for suctioning, airway care, troubleshooting, or emergency response.
- Where the machine, charger, tubing, supplies, and backup items are usually kept
- Who can confirm the current care plan and supplier details
- Where the manual, device card, home health notes, or clinician paperwork can be found
- Which caregiver, school nurse, home health agency, or family contact should be called first for missing details
Where to keep it
Keep copies near the equipment, in the caregiver binder, in the supply bag, with home health notes, in a school or respite packet, or with trusted family members.
Avoid putting unnecessary sensitive details, passwords, financial information, or direct home access codes on a visible copy.
When to update it
Review the checklist when equipment, supplier contacts, supply locations, caregiver contacts, home health contacts, doctor contacts, care plan location, manual location, medication list, or allergy list changes.
Privacy and safety notes
Share only what is useful for emergency organization and caregiver handoff. Keep fuller records and detailed care instructions in a safer place when a visible copy would reveal too much.
This page is for organization and emergency preparedness only. It is not medical advice or legal advice and does not replace 911, EMS, clinicians, medical records, medication labels, device manuals, DME instructions, airway plans, care plans, home health instructions, patient portals, or professional guidance.
Printable sheet versus digital YourEMR profile
A digital YourEMR profile may help when supplier contacts, equipment notes, supply locations, caregiver roles, and document locations change. The profile can be updated and reprinted.
Helpful terms caregivers may hear
- Suction machine: A device name families may use for equipment in the person's care plan; this sheet organizes information about it, not how to use it.
- DME: Durable medical equipment or a supplier contact for home equipment and supplies.
- Backup supplies: Extra items the caregiver wants listed by name and location, without instructions for use.
- Care plan location: Where official clinician, home health, school, or agency instructions can be found.
- Handoff notes: Practical information that helps another trusted helper find contacts, supplies, and records.
Suction Machine details to record
Use factual details from equipment labels, supplier paperwork, care team documents, caregiver notes, and current contact lists. Keep it short enough to scan.
- Machine name, model, serial number or reference number if safe to include, equipment location, and manual or device card location
- Supplier or DME contact, caregiver or home health contact, doctor or specialist contact, pharmacy if relevant, and emergency contacts
- Backup supplies as caregiver-provided organization, such as supply names and locations without technique or use instructions
- Where the current care plan, device manuals, supplier paperwork, medication list, and allergy list are kept
Related YourEMR resources
Use these related YourEMR pages when they fit the person's situation.
Helpful suction equipment and preparedness resources
These outside resources are for general education and preparedness only. Always follow 911, EMS, clinicians, device manuals, DME instructions, home health guidance, care plans, and professional guidance.
Guidance for collecting and protecting insurance cards, emergency action plans, care plans, and other important documents.
Preparedness guidance for organizing medicines, allergies, medical supply needs, and related information before an emergency.
Emergency kit guidance that includes medications, medical items, medication lists, pertinent medical information, and family contact information.
Emergency disclaimer
These free sheets are informational organization tools only. They are not medical records, diagnosis tools, treatment plans, medical advice, or legal advice, and they do not replace 911, EMS, clinicians, medical records, medication labels, device manuals, care plans, patient portals, or professional guidance.