Main description:

Patients with tracheostomies are being nursed in increasing numbers in general wards. This book aims to provide student nurses, newly qualified nurses and nurses who are unfamiliar in dealing with these devices, with the necessary skills and confidence to provide safe and effective care in hospital and community health care settings.

Contents:

1) Introduction. 2) What is a tracheostomy?. 3) Indications for a tracheostomy. 4) Physiological changes. 5) Preparation for a tracheostomy. 6) Types of tubes. 7) Communication. 8) Humidification. 9) Tracheostomy suctioning. 10) Stoma and tube management / care. 11) Changing tapes and tube. 12) Swallowing and eating. 13) Decannulation. 14) Altered body image. 15) Complications. 16) Resuscitation. 17) Discharge planning. 18) Further reading. 19) Useful contacts. 20) References