The difference in tracheostomy care in the acute care and home environments is that in the home environment:

Question

A. The outer cannula is removed
B. Dressings are not necessary
C. Hydrogen peroxide is used for cleaning
D. The procedure may be done with clean technique

Answer 1

D
D. The indications for performing tracheostomy care and suctioning in the home are similar to tracheostomy care and suctioning in the hospital except for one key variable: the use of medical asepsis or clean technique. In the hospital, principles of surgical asepsis are used because the client is more susceptible to infection and because more virulent or pathogenic microorganisms are usually present than in the home setting. In the home setting, the majority of clients use clean technique.
A. The client usually learns better when instruction on less invasive techniques such as tracheal stoma care precedes more invasive techniques such as inner cannula care and suctioning. Inner cannulas can come in disposable or nondisposable form.
B. Fresh trach dressings protect the skin around stoma from pressure breakdown and collects secretions.
C. If hydrogen peroxide is used to clean stoma, rinse with cotton-tipped applicators and a 4 × 4 gauze sponge soaked in water or saline.