Daily checks There should be a detailed plan of care for all patients with a tracheostomy. A suggested care plan is provided in this manual, but local policies may already…
Guideline development Draft guidelines were developed, tested and refined locally before being re-submitted to the UK stakeholder organisations. Extensive use was made of real-life critical incidents that were recreated using…
Indications for a tracheostomy The classical indication for a tracheostomy is upper airway obstruction and this is why the first recorded tracheostomies were performed. However, in modern medical practice, the…
Cuffed tubes Cuffed tubes have a soft balloon around the distal end of the tube which inflates to seal the airway (Figure 4.1). Cuffed tubes are necessary when positive pressure…
Introduction Error is inevitable, but harm is not Sarah Corcoran, Associate Director of Clinical Effectiveness, Central Manchester Foundation Trust, 2009 This manual provides information and resources for the safe management…
Tracheostomy care: competency assessment criteria COMPETENCY STATEMENTDemonstrates safe practice for patients requiring a tracheostomy and dealing with tracheostomy emergencies Key skills Assessment criteria 1. Demonstrates an understanding of the anatomy…
Complications associated with a tracheostomy Complications can be divided into those associated with insertion of the tracheostomy (surgical or percutaneous), those that arise following the procedure (usually blocked or displaced…
Introduction In order to safely care for patients with tracheostomies in our hospitals, we need to address the organisation and infrastructure of the clinical areas where patients with tracheostomies and…
What is a tracheostomy? Tracheostomies are performed in head and neck surgical practice, with over 5000 procedures performed yearly in England. We estimate around 10 000–15 000 percutaneous tracheostomies are…
