Inflated or Deflated?
Originally published on May 21, 2011 Respiratory therapist, S.S., asks, "If the patient has been weaned from the ventilator, should the cuff be inflated or deflated? Answer: The inflated cuff provides a seal of the airway
Cuff Leaks
Originally published on June 4, 2011 R.B. asks, "When a patient is on the ventilator, what causes a leak in the cuff?" Answer: There are many causes to a cuff leak. First, to clarify, it
Trach Button vs. Trach Tube
Originally published on June 24, 2011 Dr. S.A. asks, "I just received a rehab patient with a trach button who has developed pneumonia. Can I just replace the button with a regular trach?" Answer: A trach
Cuff Leaks
R.B. asks, "When a patient is on the ventilator, what causes a leak in the cuff?" Answer: There are many causes to a cuff leak. First, to clarify, it is rare that a leak within
Fenestrated Tracheostomy Tubes
Originally published on May 29, 2011 T.H. asks, "What is the purpose of a fenestrated tracheostomy tube?" Answer: The word fenestration comes from the French word, "la fenetre", meaning 'window'. So a fenestrated tube is
Tracheal Bleeding
W.C. asks, "I've noticed a small amount of bleeding from my trach recently. Should I be worried?" Answer: The two most frequent causes of tracheal bleeding are due to frequent suctioning and lack of humidity. Regarding
Home Supplies
Dr. C.R. asks, "What kind of home supplies do my tracheostomy patients need?" Answer: Patients need many supplies to manage their tracheostomy. They need plenty of suction catheters, suction machine, tubing, inner cannulas (if disposable),
Air Transport with Trachs
Originally published on November 25, 2011 R.H. asks, "We have a tracheostomy patient who is being airlifted to a different facility in another state. Should we have any concerns with air transport?" Answer: The biggest concerns
Emergency Equipment
Nurse C.D. asks, "What type of emergency equipment should I have at the bedside?" Answer: One must always be prepared for an emergency, and the key is to have essential items always available. These items
Common Trach Emergencies
Dr. E.H asks, "What are the most common emergencies with tracheostomies?" Answer: The two most common emergencies with tracheostomies are mucus plugs and inadvertent decannulation/displacement. Mucus plugs occur because of inadequate hydration and inactivity, resulting