SEARCH

You have had surgery to create an opening through your neck and into your trachea (windpipe). A tube (cannula) was inserted into the opening so you can breathe. You need to take care of your tracheostomy ("trach") tube, the opening in your neck (stoma), and the skin around the stoma once you leave the hospital. Your care team will teach you how to do this. The guidelines below will also help.

Some people have trouble swallowing (dysphagia) after a stroke. This makes choking more likely. It also puts their health at more risk for conditions like aspiration pneumonia. To make sure your loved one gets the nutrition they need, a speech therapist may teach them ways to improve swallowing.

Your child's healthcare provider has told you that your child needs a tracheostomy. This creates a new pathway for air. Surgery is needed to do this. During the surgery, the surgeon makes a small opening in your child's neck. A tube (called a trach tube) is placed in this opening. Air then flows into and out of the trach tube, allowing your child to breathe. This sheet will help you learn more about tracheostomy.

Your child's tracheostomy needs regular care to keep the area clean and to prevent infection. Follow these guidelines.

In a trach tube, mucus can build up and thicken. Regular suctioning of mucus keeps the tube clear. You will be instructed on how to suction mucus. Read on to learn the basic steps.

You were given home care instructions for your child's G-tube or G-J tube before they were discharged from the hospital. This sheet can help you remember those steps when you and your child are at home.

Information on vaccines can change quickly. Use this link to get the latest vaccine information from the CDC.

Your child's PICC line is an important part of their health care. To care for your child's PICC line, you'll need to flush it. Here are instructions on what to do.

Your PICC line is an important part of your health care. To care for your PICC line, you will need to flush it. Here are instructions on what to do.