ABSTRACT
Chapter overview 371 Physiological changes with a tracheostomy 372 The tracheostomy tube 372 Complications 374 Emergency Bedside Tracheostomy Equipment 374 Humidification 374
Skin care and tracheostomy tie change 375 Suctioning 379 Tracheostomy tube change 383 Basic life support concerns: tracheostomy 387 Conclusion 389 References 390
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to accomplish the following: 1 Define tracheostomy and list two indications for it
use in children 2 Identify three types of tracheostomy tube 3 List the emergency equipment and checks that
should be performed at the beginning of a shift when looking after a child with a tracheostomy
4 Describe the potential complications a child with a tracheostomy might experience
5 Discuss the nursing care of a child with a tracheostomy including management of tracheostomy tube obstruction
6 Illustrate the importance of humidification 7 Discuss with rationale the recommended suction
pressure, types, sizes and effects of suction catheters
8 Discuss with rationale the recommended techniques for delivering artificial breaths during basic life support
to several months or even years and some may require a permanent tracheostomy. The focus of this chapter is on clinical tracheostomy care skills; long-term care will be discussed in Chapter 23.
