A respiratory access
assembly includes a distal plate having a port, which is adapted to be positioned in operable communication with an artificial
airway of a patient. The
assembly includes a distal plate having a port and a proximal plate which has a first port and a second port. The distal plate is positioned against the proximal plate in a stacked configuration, and each plate is configured to move relative to the other. The
assembly has an
actuator which is positioned adjacent to at least one plate. The
actuator cooperates with both plates to substantially prevent movement of the plates when the port of the distal plate is positioned in an alignment with at least one port of the proximal plate and an object, such as a
suction catheter, is positioned through the aligned ports of the plates. The
actuator cooperates with at least one plate to permit movement of at least one plate when (a) no object is positioned through aligned ports, and (b) when no ports are aligned. The assembly desirably has predetermined positions, which include a first open position, a second open position, and a third closed position. In the first open position, the port of the distal plate and the first port of the proximal plate are aligned. In the second open position, the port of the distal plate and the second port of the proximal plate are aligned. In the third closed position, the port of the distal plate, and the first and second ports of the proximal plates are blocked to prevent an object from being passed therethrough. A method of using the respiratory access assembly is provided.