Tracheostomy Care and Cleaning

Summary

This video guides viewers through the essential steps of cleaning and caring for a tracheostomy tube, emphasizing the importance of daily maintenance. It covers the necessary supplies, such as distilled water, hydrogen peroxide, cotton swabs, and pipe cleaners, along with step-by-step instructions for cleaning the stoma and trach tube. The video also explains the proper techniques for handling the inner cannula, ensuring hygiene, and dressing the trach site. By following these detailed instructions, caregivers can maintain a safe and healthy environment for individuals with a tracheostomy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proper cleaning and care of a tracheostomy is essential for daily maintenance.
• 😀 Tracheostomy tubes come in various types, including ones with balloon cuffs, metal or plastic materials, and silicone options.
• 😀 Some trach tubes have an inner cannula that can be removed for cleaning.
• 😀 The cleaning process should be done twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime.
• 😀 A self-contained kit or supplies from local stores can be used for cleaning, including distilled water, hydrogen peroxide, cotton swabs, and gloves.
• 😀 Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before starting any procedure.
• 😀 Use a clean workspace when preparing supplies for cleaning the trach tube.
• 😀 A Velcro tracheostomy tie is recommended over standard ties and should be replaced only when soiled or wet.
• 😀 If the trach tube has an inner cannula, it should be soaked and cleaned with a brush and pipe cleaner.
• 😀 The stoma area around the trach tube should be gently cleaned with cotton swabs soaked in distilled water and hydrogen peroxide.
• 😀 After cleaning, the trach tube should be dried with gauze, and the inner cannula should be reinserted and secured back into the tube.

Q & A

Why is it important to clean and care for a tracheostomy tube regularly?

Cleaning and caring for a tracheostomy tube is critical to ensure hygiene, prevent infections, and maintain the functionality of the tube, which is essential for the patient's breathing and overall well-being.

How often should a tracheostomy tube be cleaned?

A tracheostomy tube should be cleaned twice a day: once in the morning and again in the evening before bedtime.

What are the different types of tracheostomy tubes mentioned in the script?

The script mentions various types of tracheostomy tubes, including those with balloon cuffs, metal tubes, plastic tubes, and silicone tubes, some of which may have cuffs that disappear when deflated.

What items are necessary for cleaning a tracheostomy tube if a self-contained kit is not available?

If a self-contained kit is unavailable, you can purchase distilled water, hydrogen peroxide, cotton swabs, paper cups, brushes, pipe cleaners, a clean towel or chucks, non-sterile gloves, and gauze pads at a local store or pharmacy.

What items do you need from your medical supplier to clean a tracheostomy tube?

From your medical supplier, you will need a split drain gauze pad, a 2x2 square gauze pad, and additional gauze pads for cleaning.

What steps should be taken before starting the tracheostomy cleaning process?

Before beginning, wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water to ensure cleanliness.

How should the work area be set up when cleaning the tracheostomy tube?

If using a kit, open the package, unfold the paper padding to create a clean work area, and arrange the necessary supplies on the clean surface.

What type of tracheostomy tie is recommended, and when should it be changed?

A velcro tracheostomy tie is recommended. The tie should only be changed if it becomes wet, soiled, or during a tracheostomy tube change.

What should you do when cleaning the stoma (the hole where the trach tube is inserted)?

Gently clean the stoma area with swabs soaked in distilled water and hydrogen peroxide, and ensure to check for any signs of infection, such as redness.

What is the process for cleaning the inner cannula of the tracheostomy tube?

To clean the inner cannula, remove it from the tube, soak it in a basin of distilled water and hydrogen peroxide, use a pipe cleaner to remove secretions, and rinse it thoroughly before reinserting it into the trach tube.