Tracheostomy Care for Patients and Family Upon Home Discharge
Teaching Plan: Tracheostomy Care for Patients and Family upon Home Discharge
Patients who undergo a tracheostomy and their family must demonstrate understanding and performance of the following objectives:
1. The anatomical changes related to the procedure.
2. Management of a tracheostomy.
3. The importance of humidification and suctioning in maintaining airway patency.
4. Awareness of possible problems/complications in tracheostomy management.
A normal breathing pattern draws air through the nose or mouth into the trachea and then the lungs but this is not always the case for some patients who need an alternative way to breathe. When breathing become difficult due to an obstruction or narrowing in the windpipe or throat, difficulty getting rid of mucus and secretions or a patient need to be in a ventilator for long periods of time a tracheostomy to breath will be needed. A tracheotomy is a small incision made through the neck and into the trachea in which a tracheostomy tube keeps this hole open so air can enter into the trachea and lungs. Knowing how to properly care and clear tracheostomy is vital because inappropriate or inadequate care may lead to complications and even death. Tracheostomy care needs to be done every 4 to 8 hours or more often is needed. Tracheostomy care includes cleaning or changing the inner cannula, changing the dressing and tracheostomy tube holder, and suctioning if needed. Most tracheostomy tubes have disposable inner cannulas, which are replaced and secured using aseptic technique. While providing tracheostomy care, inspect the skin for signs of irritation or infection, such as redness, pain, or discharge then proceed to clean the area around the tracheostomy tube with a wound cleanser using a sterile cotton-tipped applicator. Then rinse the skin with water and dry it gently with sterile gauze and place a sterile tracheostomy dressing under the tube flanges to keep humidity form irritating the skin.
When you
Patients who undergo a tracheostomy and their family must demonstrate understanding and performance of the following objectives:
1. The anatomical changes related to the procedure.
2. Management of a tracheostomy.
3. The importance of humidification and suctioning in maintaining airway patency.
4. Awareness of possible problems/complications in tracheostomy management.
A normal breathing pattern draws air through the nose or mouth into the trachea and then the lungs but this is not always the case for some patients who need an alternative way to breathe. When breathing become difficult due to an obstruction or narrowing in the windpipe or throat, difficulty getting rid of mucus and secretions or a patient need to be in a ventilator for long periods of time a tracheostomy to breath will be needed. A tracheotomy is a small incision made through the neck and into the trachea in which a tracheostomy tube keeps this hole open so air can enter into the trachea and lungs. Knowing how to properly care and clear tracheostomy is vital because inappropriate or inadequate care may lead to complications and even death. Tracheostomy care needs to be done every 4 to 8 hours or more often is needed. Tracheostomy care includes cleaning or changing the inner cannula, changing the dressing and tracheostomy tube holder, and suctioning if needed. Most tracheostomy tubes have disposable inner cannulas, which are replaced and secured using aseptic technique. While providing tracheostomy care, inspect the skin for signs of irritation or infection, such as redness, pain, or discharge then proceed to clean the area around the tracheostomy tube with a wound cleanser using a sterile cotton-tipped applicator. Then rinse the skin with water and dry it gently with sterile gauze and place a sterile tracheostomy dressing under the tube flanges to keep humidity form irritating the skin.
When you