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Instructions for Tracheostomy Care

When you go home after having a tracheostomy, you will have an opening in your neck called a stoma, with a tracheostomy tube to pass air. In the hospital or rehabilitation facility, someone will show you how to properly care for your tracheostomy at home. Have at least one other close friend or family member with you to learn how to help you care for the tracheostomy for added support.

  1. Daily Tips

    • Now that you are breathing through an opening on your neck, the air bypasses your nose and mouth to get to your lungs. Your nose and mouth would normally filter and moisten the air, so you will now need to use a humidifier and filter instead. Drink plenty of fluids and keep up your oral hygiene. Protect your stoma in the shower or take a bath to avoid getting water in your lungs. Do not swim with a tracheostomy.

      Protect your stoma from foreign objects such as insects and dust. Wear a stoma cover, but make sure you can breathe through the cover. If the tracheostomy tube comes out or gets blocked, call 911 immediately. If you have a new tube available, try to insert it. If you don't, try to re-insert the old one. Try using a straw or suction catheter if your stoma is open enough and you can't insert a tube. Keep an emergency kit on hand for tube problems.

      Use saline drops to thin secretions and let your doctor know if there are any changes in your mucus or if you have a fever. Clean the skin around your tracheostomy every day or as directed by your doctor. Wash your hands and wear disposable gloves. Use a soft lint-free cloth with mild soap and water to clean the skin. Swab away crusts with diluted hydrogen peroxide. Replace gauze dressings when you clean the area.

    Suctioning

    • Sometimes after a tracheostomy, your body can't remove secretions and mucus by coughing alone. Your doctor may prescribe a suction machine to assist this process. Only suction when you have a buildup of mucus or are having trouble breathing because of the secretions. Always wash your hands before suctioning and use oxygen as directed by your doctor after suctioning. Don't apply suction for longer than 10 seconds because you won't be able to breathe during this time.

    Tracheostomy Supplies

    • Your tracheostomy tube has an outer cannula and inner cannula. Don't remove or replace the outer cannula unless directed by your doctor. Your inner cannula will either need to be replaced, if it's the disposable kind, or cleaned periodically. Always wash your hands before handling the pieces of your tracheostomy tube.

      Use care when replacing the ties that hold your tracheostomy tube in place, and ask someone to help you if possible. If the ties become too lose, the tube can fall out. If you use a speaking valve, clean it daily and remove it if you are having trouble breathing.

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