Tracheostomy Care

Anna Serra is a Senior Lecturer (South England ) with Marie Curie Cancer Cancer Care, with responsibility for Cancer and Palliative Care. She was a founder member of the ENT Nursing Interest Group (now the ENT Forum), a committee member of the British Association of Head and Neck Oncology Nurses and Nurse Advisor for the National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs. Angela Griggs is Lecturer Practitioner in ENT Nursing at the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust and City University. She is also Chair of the RCN ENT/Maxillofacial Nursing Forum.

1) Introduction. 2) What is a tracheostomy?. 3) Indications for a tracheostomy. 4) Physiological changes. 5) Preparation for a tracheostomy. 6) Types of tubes. 7) Communication. 8) Humidification. 9) Tracheostomy suctioning. 10) Stoma and tube management / care. 11) Changing tapes and tube. 12) Swallowing and eating. 13) Decannulation. 14) Altered body image. 15) Complications. 16) Resuscitation. 17) Discharge planning. 18) Further reading. 19) Useful contacts. 20) References