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WoS Paediatric Drooling and Aspiration Guideline
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Admitting Patients with Tracheostomy/Laryngectomy to DGRI
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Emergency Tracheostomy Management
Safe Transfer of Patients with Tracheostomy/Laryngectomy within DGRI
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Safe Transfer of Patients with Tracheostomy/Laryngectomy within DGRI
Last updated 5th March 2024
Before Transfer to Ward B3 or Rehab ward D7 from CCU
- Transfer does not take place until patient is medically stable. Risk assessment completed.
- Decision for transfer is made at consultant level.
- All transfers to be agreed by medical teams and in consultation with the nurse in charge of the receiving ward and the capacity manager / nurse in charge of the hospital to agree bed availability, adequate staffing levels, with the skills and knowledge to deliver safe care for the tracheostomy/laryngectomy patient.
- Essential equipment is available and set up in the room. The CNS Head and neck will help with this whenever possible.
- A patient with a tracheostomy/laryngectomy should be discharged to a general ward at a time convenient to both teams and should be transferred between the hours of 0800 - 1700, Monday-Friday. Out of hours only in exceptional circumstances.
- A full comprehensive nursing and medical handover between critical care staff and the parent team should take place prior to the transfer of any patient with a tracheostomy/laryngectomy to a general ward.
- The Head and Neck CNS must be informed of the transfer of all tracheostomy/laryngectomy patients.
- NB patients with a cuffed tracheostomy tube in situ, even with an inner cannula are at a high risk from respiratory obstruction unless under close supervision. This is the reason why this type of patient is not suitable to be nursed in a general ward but in CCU.
Essential Equipment
- Tracheostomy bed signs and algorithms should be with all tracheostomy/laryngectomy patients
- Functional suction apparatus-with appropriate sized catheters. (suction guidelines, half the size of the tracheostomy tube x3. Size 8 tracheostomy tube would have size 12fg suction catheters)
- Oxygen administration –humidified oxygen ONLY.
- Emergency resuscitation tray-on third drawer of resuscitation trolley in ED and CCU only.
- Nurse calls system.
- Spare tracheostomy tube and one size smaller
- Humidification i.e. Airvo 2 humidifier, HME, Buchanan Bib.
- Tracheostomy dressings/Tracheostomy holders.
- Appropriate cleaning swabs for inner cannula/Cleaning barrier wands
- Gloves, Aprons, Visor.
- Tracheostomy Passport
- Airvo 2 humidifier and tracheostomy trolley with all equipment in B3 treatment room.Tracheostomy equipment blue box in tracheostomy cupboard in oncology department. Airvo 2 spare in tracheostomy cupboard in oncology.
Telephone Numbers for Advice
- Head and Neck Clinical Nurse Specialists – Linda McCormick 32017 (01387 241017) and Fiona Kerr 33964 (01387 241964)
- Critical Care – 33476
- On Call anaesthetist – via switchboard
Content by Linda McCormick