Tracheostomy care at home
tracheostomy · care of a throat tube · trach tube · tracheostomy cleaning · trach suctioning
A tracheostomy is an opening in the neck through which a person breathes via a tube. At home it needs care every day to keep the tube clean and the skin healthy.
When a person cannot breathe normally through the mouth and nose and the doctor placed a tracheostomy for the long term.
⏱ Duration: care usually takes 15 to 30 minutes once or twice a day; suctioning as needed
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Training. Before discharge, ask the nurse to show you everything and do the care yourself a few times with her.
- Spare tube. Always keep a spare tube of the same size and one size smaller within reach.
- Equipment. Suction machine, catheters, wipes, boiled water, split gauze pads, ties.
- Air. Dry air dries out mucus. A humidifier in the room is usually advised.
What to bring
- A spare tube and ties
- The suction machine and catheters
- Discharge papers and the doctor's contact
- A list of questions for the doctor
How it goes
- Wash your hands and put on gloves
- If you hear gurgling, suction the mucus with a catheter as you were taught
- Take out the inner tube, if there is one, and rinse it
- Remove the old gauze and look at the skin
- Wipe the skin around the opening with a damp wipe and pat dry
- Put a new split gauze under the tube
- Change the ties: hold the tube with your hand until the old ones are replaced
- One finger should fit between the tie and the neck
What you'll feel
- Suctioning causes coughing. This is normal
- The person may be frightened. Speak calmly and explain each step
Afterwards
- Watch the color and amount of mucus
- Keep water from getting into the tube when washing
- The whole tube is replaced on the doctor's schedule
- Keep the emergency number where you can see it
Contact a doctor straight away if
- The tube came out or is blocked and cannot be cleared: insert the spare and call your local emergency number
- The person is gasping and the lips turn blue: call your local emergency number
- More than a few streaks of blood from the tube: call your local emergency number
- Fever, thick yellow or green mucus with a smell: see a doctor
Common questions
Can a person with a tracheostomy speak?
Sometimes, with a special valve. The doctor decides whether it is possible in your case.
How often should mucus be suctioned?
As needed, when you hear gurgling or the person cannot cough it up. Not by the clock.