9
Tracheostomy care
Guidelines for tracheostomy education are provided in Sherman JM et al. Am J Respir
Crit Care Med 2000;161:297–308.
Emergency response
Caregivers should be able to:
Verbalize criteria for calling emergency services (such as 911 in the United States)
Be certified in CPR
Be able to access a list of numbers for emergencies or problems not requiring
emergency services (physicians, DME, etc.) and know whom to contact on the basis of
the type of emergency
Demonstrate use of self-inflating bag and mask in routine and emergency care
procedures
List signs of tracheostomy obstruction
Demonstrate appropriate suctioning techniques to remove tracheostomy obstruction
Demonstrate an emergency tracheostomy tube change (change done by one caregiver
without assistance)
Demonstrate knowledge of emergency medications (if applicable)
Verbalize plans for loss of electricity, fire, tornado, or other natural disaster
Ventilator training
Caregivers should be able to:
Identify electrical power sources
Assemble ventilator circuit and humidification system
Describe routine cleaning of equipment
Add oxygen to circuit if indicated
Verbalize that ventilator alarms must be audible throughout the home
Demonstrate how to properly turn the ventilator on, test the ventilator before use, and
view and verify settings
Demonstrate an understanding of ventilator alarms and how to troubleshoot the
alarms
Table 3. Suggested Educational Objectives for Family and
Professional Caregivers of Children Requiring
Home Mechanical Ventilation
a
(cont'd)
