How Do You Care For A Tracheostomy?
A tracheostomy (trach) is an opening into the windpipe to supply air. This is often done temporarily for emergency reasons, but many times, a tracheostomy is left in permanently. A trach requires special care. The patient and his family will be taught to care for the tracheostomy before leaving the hospital. Here is how to care for a tracheostomy. Understand the anatomy of a trach tube. The trach tube has three parts; the obturator, the outer cannula with trach plate and the inner cannula. The obturator is used to pass the trach tube into the windpipe. When the obturator is removed, an outer tube (cannula) remains. This outer cannula has a plastic trach plate that fits against the skin on the neck and holds the trach in place. The trach plate is held in place with trach ties. Then there’s an inner cannula that fits inside the outer one and locks into place. Maintain the inner cannula by changing and cleaning it daily. Wash hands with soap and water then put on latex gloves. Gently unlo
