Tracheostomy Care
24x7 care for Tracheostomy patients
Core Principles of Tracheostomy Care
Tracheostomy establishes an alternative breathing channel when the regular airway is hindered, either in part or entirely.
Speech Therapy
Specialist Consultations
Bedside Training
Psychology and Emotional Wellbeing
Nutrition and Swallow Therapy
Tracheostomy Tube Changing and Care
Specialist consultations
Continuous monitoring
Tracheostomy care protocols
Prevent recurrences & complications
Improved overall quality of life
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Aspects of Tracheostomy Care at HCAH
At HCAH, our individualized care strategies are orchestrated by a team of diverse specialists:
It's vital to keep the site uncontaminated and free from potential infections. Regular inspections and upkeep are fundamental.
Dry air can lead to complications and discomfort. We ensure the right balance of humidity and moisture for the patient's ease.
Tracheostomy can influence one's ability to speak. Our team provides techniques and support to aid patients in effective communication.
Post-tracheostomy, eating can pose challenges. We offer guidance and training to ensure patients can intake food without complications.
Reasons for Opting for a Tracheostomy
- To circumvent an obstructed upper respiratory tract
- To efficiently remove excess secretions from the respiratory passage
- To facilitate the safe and direct delivery of oxygen to the lungs
Why Choose HCAH for Tracheostomy Patients?
Your well-being and recovery journey are our utmost priority. With HCAH, you benefit from over a century of combined healthcare expertise. We are recognized as India’s premier out-of-hospital care provider.
Round-the-Clock Availability
Our dedicated staff is always on standby, day or night, to address emergencies and cater to our patients' needs.
Proficient and Seasoned Teams
Our roster comprises seasoned doctors, nurses, and therapists, each bringing years of expertise to the table.
Top-tier Customer Satisfaction
With over 7500+ Google Reviews, HCAH boasts an impressive customer rating of 4.9/5.
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We stayed at HCAH Transition Care Center for my 6 yr old son who got afflicted with GB syndrome. My son had a worrisome condition but Team HCAH gave me hope. Their dedication and commitment of the every team member is unmatched. Their coordinated eff...
My mother came to HCAH post-stroke in a bedridden condition and with tracheostomy and oxygen support. Today, after 47 days, the tracheostomy and oxygen have been removed. She has improved a lot. The doctors and the nursing staff are very cooperative....
My son was admitted to HCAH after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. We came here with BIPAP, Oxygen, Tracheostomy, etc. The care and attention given to him at this place is incredibly good. My son's condition has shown phenomenal progress. He is no...
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What is Tracheostomy?
A tracheostomy is an artificial airway created through a surgical intervention to allow the patient with compromised airways to breathe and manage secretions through the neck instead of the...Read More
What is Tracheostomy?
A tracheostomy is an artificial airway created through a surgical intervention to allow the patient with compromised airways to breathe and manage secretions through the neck instead of the mouth and nose. The procedure can be done as an emergency or elective procedure, depending on the patient's condition and indication for surgery.
In an emergency situation, the procedure is often done to relieve airway obstruction due to trauma, infection, or other conditions. On the other hand, in elective tracheostomy, the procedure is performed to facilitate long-term ventilatory support in patients with chronic respiratory failure or those who need prolonged intubation. During tracheostomy an opening (stoma) is created in front of the neck and into the trachea or windpipe. This surgical intervention can be performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Tracheostomy is an invasive procedure that requires careful assessment of the patient's airway and meticulous surgical technique to avoid potential complications such as bleeding, infection, or injury to nearby structures. Therefore, tracheostomy care nursing and tracheostomy tube care are critical in preventing and managing potential complications. Tracheostomy suctioning steps should also be followed to maintain airway patency and manage secretions effectively. It is also important to consider stoma tracheostomy care and tracheostomy care at home to ensure proper healing and prevent infection.
In an emergency situation, the procedure is often done to relieve airway obstruction due to trauma, infection, or other conditions. On the other hand, in elective tracheostomy, the procedure is performed to facilitate long-term ventilatory support in patients with chronic respiratory failure or those who need prolonged intubation. During tracheostomy an opening (stoma) is created in front of the neck and into the trachea or windpipe. This surgical intervention can be performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Tracheostomy is an invasive procedure that requires careful assessment of the patient's airway and meticulous surgical technique to avoid potential complications such as bleeding, infection, or injury to nearby structures. Therefore, tracheostomy care nursing and tracheostomy tube care are critical in preventing and managing potential complications. Tracheostomy suctioning steps should also be followed to maintain airway patency and manage secretions effectively. It is also important to consider stoma tracheostomy care and tracheostomy care at home to ensure proper healing and prevent infection.
When And Who Will Need Tracheostomy?
Tracheostomy is a procedure that is often recommended for patients who have significant airway compromise or require long-term mechanical ventilation. The decision to perform a tracheostomy can be a complex one as it involves careful evaluation of the patient's medical history, current clinical status, and prognosis. Following are the indications for tracheostomy and the patient who may benefit from this procedure:
- Upper airway obstruction: Tracheostomy may be recommended in patients with upper airway obstruction due to tumors, inflammation, or trauma that causes difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Prolonged mechanical ventilation: Patients who require long-term mechanical ventilation, typically greater than 14 days, may benefit from a tracheostomy to facilitate weaning from the ventilator and improve patient comfort and mobility.
- Respiratory failure: Tracheostomy may be necessary for patients who suffer from chronic respiratory failure, such as individuals with COPD or neuromuscular disease, to help manage their airway and improve their overall quality of life.
- Pulmonary toilet: Tracheostomy may be performed in patients who require frequent suctioning or airway clearance due to excessive secretions.
Who needs Tracheostomy-
- Critical care patients: Patients who are critically ill and require intensive care may need a tracheostomy for airway management and mechanical ventilation.
- Oncology patients: Tracheostomy may be performed in patients with head and neck cancers that cause airway obstruction.
- Neurological patients: Tracheostomy may be needed for patients with neuromuscular disorders like ALS or muscular dystrophy, who may have difficulty breathing due to weak muscles and require additional respiratory support to improve their quality of life.
- Trauma patients: Patients with severe traumatic injuries to the head, neck, or chest may require emergency tracheostomy to relieve airway obstruction.
Tracheostomy Tube Care
Tracheostomy tube care is a crucial aspect of managing patients with a tracheostomy. Proper care of the tracheostomy tube helps prevent infection, maintain patency, and promote healing of the stoma. Follow these steps for a better tracheostomy tube care:
- Hand hygiene: Before performing any tracheostomy tube care, it is essential to perform hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Site care: Clean the stoma site with sterile saline and gauze or sterile cotton swabs at least twice a day to remove any debris, crusts, or secretions that may accumulate. Apply a sterile dressing to the stoma site to absorb any exudate and protect the skin from irritation.
- Tube care: Clean the outer surface of the tracheostomy tube with sterile saline and gauze or cotton swabs. Replace the inner cannula with a new one if it becomes soiled or if there is difficulty in suctioning secretions. Always ensure that the tracheostomy tube is secure and properly placed to avoid accidental dislodgement.
- Humidification: Provide adequate humidification to the patient by using a heated humidifier or a sterile water solution to maintain a moist environment in the tracheostomy tube and prevent drying of secretions.
- Communication: Patients with a tracheostomy may have difficulty speaking. Encourage patients to communicate using alternative methods such as writing, gestures, or assistive devices.
Signs and Symptoms of Blocked Tracheostomy
A blocked tracheostomy can be a life-threatening emergency. Patients with a tracheostomy and their caregivers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of a blocked tracheostomy to seek prompt medical attention. Below are the common signs and symptoms of a blocked tracheostomy:
- Difficulty breathing: A blocked tracheostomy can cause difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or even suffocation. Patients may have increased work of breathing, wheezing, or stridor.
- Inability to suction secretions: A blocked tracheostomy may prevent the effective suctioning of secretions, leading to an accumulation of mucus or secretions in the airway.
- Change in color: Patients with a blocked tracheostomy may develop a bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, or nails due to decreased oxygenation.
- Coughing or choking: Patients may experience coughing or choking, particularly during meals or when drinking fluids.
- Increased heart rate: A blocked tracheostomy can cause an increased heart rate due to the decreased oxygen supply to the body.
- Altered mental status: In severe cases, a blocked tracheostomy can cause confusion, drowsiness, or loss of consciousness due to hypoxia.
Why is tracheostomy care important?
Proper tracheostomy care is critical to prevent complications such as infection, tracheal stenosis, or decannulation. Maintaining hygiene of the tracheostomy site, changing the tracheostomy tube as needed, and regular tracheostomy care and suctioning can prevent the accumulation of secretions and other debris that may cause blockages. Appropriate care can also prevent the need for additional interventions, such as emergency tracheostomy tube changes or hospital readmissions. Thus, trach care is important for maintaining the patient's overall respiratory health and avoiding potential complications.
Why Choose HCAH for Tracheostomy Care?
HCAH has been providing unparalleled healthcare services to patients in the comfort of their homes. Our dedicated team of experienced nurses understands the challenges involved in taking care of patients with a tracheostomy. We offer specialized tracheostomy care nursing services, including tracheostomy tube care, tracheostomy suctioning steps, and tracheostomy care and suctioning, ensuring that our patients receive the best care possible. Trust us to provide exceptional care to you or your loved one with a tracheostomy, right in the comfort of your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiple situations may call for a Tracheostomy:
- Any medical condition that necessitates the use of a breathing machine for more than one/two weeks
- Medical issues that block your airway: vocal cord paralysis or throat cancer
- Paralysis, neurological problems, or other conditions that make it difficult to cough up secretions from the throat
- Preparation for a major head or neck surgery to assist breathing during recovery
- Acute trauma to the head or neck obstructing breathing
- Other emergencies where breathing is obstructed or intubation has failed
Yes. Our expert will assess the severity of your condition and suggest what suits best for your specific needs: the tracheostomy care program at home or the HCAH care center
For most conditions, a tracheostomy tube will be kept as long as your normal airway passage is partially or completely blocked. When tracheostomy is no longer needed, the tube will be replaced with a smaller tube and then gradually removed.
For a few long-term conditions, tracheostomy is permanent.
For a few long-term conditions, tracheostomy is permanent.
There are only a few indications in which COVID-19 patients are intubated with a tracheostomy tube. The most common such conditions are Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, followed by failure to wean off ventilator support, and post-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32541213/
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32541213/
At HCAH, the patients are managed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists:
- A respiratory therapist monitors the tracheostomy patients, and the nursing team
- We have specially trained, experienced, and skilled nurses for the expert management of tracheostomy cases
- A specialist doctor is available 24x7
- We have single occupancy, A.C. rooms to prevent cross infection
- HCAH adheres to hospital-like infection control policies and standards.
At HCAH, the patients are managed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists:
- A respiratory therapist monitors the tracheostomy patients, and the nursing team
- We have specially trained, experienced, and skilled nurses for the expert management of tracheostomy cases
- A specialist doctor is available 24x7
- We have single occupancy, A.C. rooms to prevent cross infection
- HCAH adheres to hospital-like infection control policies and standards.
Tracheostomy care involves:
- Hand hygiene and wearing gloves.
- Suctioning the tracheostomy tube to remove mucus and secretions.
- Cleaning the skin around the stoma with mild soap and water.
- Changing the dressing around the tracheostomy site.
- Inspecting the stoma for signs of infection or irritation.
- Changing the tracheostomy tube as recommended.
- Changing the tracheostomy tube as recommended.
- Ensuring humidification to prevent mucus buildup.
The first step of tracheostomy care is ensuring proper hand hygiene by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, followed by wearing clean gloves. This step is crucial to prevent infections and ensure the safety of the patient.
The two primary types of suctioning are:
- Oropharyngeal Suctioning: This involves removing secretions from the back of the throat using a suction catheter, typically when the patient cannot clear secretions by coughing.
- Endotracheal or Tracheostomy Suctioning: This involves inserting a suction catheter into the tracheostomy or endotracheal tube to remove secretions from the airway.
The purpose of tracheostomy care is to maintain a patent airway, prevent infections, ensure the cleanliness and integrity of the tracheostomy site, minimize complications, and promote optimal respiratory function for the patient.
Suctioning in tracheostomy refers to the procedure of removing mucus, secretions, and foreign materials from the tracheostomy tube and the airway using a suction catheter. This ensures that the airway remains clear, preventing respiratory complications and facilitating better breathing.
The four major indications for tracheostomy are:
- Airway Obstruction: Due to tumors, trauma, or severe infections.
- Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: For patients who require extended ventilatory support.
- Pulmonary Toilet: To facilitate removal of secretions in patients with ineffective cough or excessive secretions.
- Protection of the Airway: In patients at risk of aspiration due to impaired consciousness or swallowing disorders.
Tracheostomy patients are typically cared for by a multidisciplinary team that may include respiratory therapists, nurses, pulmonologists, otolaryngologists, speech therapists, and physical therapists. In the home setting, trained caregivers or family members may also provide care under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
Essential emergency equipment for a tracheostomy includes:
- A spare tracheostomy tube of the same size and one size smaller.
- A suction machine with catheters.
- Oxygen supply with a delivery system.
- Ambu bag (bag-valve-mask).
- Sterile saline or water for humidification.
- Basic resuscitation equipment, including oral and nasal airways.
