Home Care for Trach - Info?

Your Safety and Comfort The following is a review of some of the supplies and procedures required to help ensure your safety and comfort. Ventilators BACK-UP SUPPLIES Always have the following available in case of an emergency: • Bacterial filters (front) • Bagging unit • Circuits, including exhalation manifold • Flex hoses • Gloves • Intake filters (back) • Spare exhalation valve (balloon) • Spare tracheostomy tube • Suction catheters • Tracheostomy adapters • Water traps Circuit changes and cleaning Replace your entire circuit (except the exhalation manifold) every 12 months. We recommend that you clean your circuit every week following this procedure: • Disassemble the circuit • Wash it in warm soapy water using mild soap • Rinse • Soak it in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 30 minutes • Rinse • Hang to dry Humidifiers Humidifiers increase the vapour content of the air you inhale. Here are some recommendations on using them: • Always clean and disinfect according to the manufacturer’s directions • Never leave your bedside humidifier turned on when you are not using it • Clean and replace the water everyday using only distilled or de-mineralized water. This will extend the life of your humidifier chamber. • If sterile water is required, the distilled or demineralized water must be boiled and left to cool Use Distilled Water If your humidifier contains scale or crusty deposits, or is covered by a white dust, then you are probably using water that contains minerals. It is important to use the right type of water, because minerals can result in the growth of micro-organisms, and will also shorten your humidifier’s life. Tap water always contains minerals. Only use it if you have no de-mineralized water available. Use bottled water that is labeled “distilled.” This can be purchased at your local drugstore. Do not use bottled waters that are labeled “spring,” “artesian” or “mineral” because they may contain minerals. Water filtering systems like those you place on your refrigerator remove some odours and chlorine, but are not effective in removing the minerals that cause scaling and deposits. Batteries (for LP6 and LP10 Users) Checking the internal battery’s charge level: Unplug your ventilator from its wall socket or wheelchair battery connector and switch it from standby to assist/control mode. Press and hold the battery test button and watch the patient pressure meter needle. The numbered scale indicates the percentage of battery charge level. For example, if the needle points to 100, this means it is 100% full. Always charge the internal battery if it is less than 50% full. Testing the power level of your internal battery: You should test your internal battery once a month. To test, make sure your ventilator has been fully charged and you are not using it. Disconnect your ventilator from the wall socket or wheelchair battery and let it run until the low power alarm comes on. Note the start and stop time of the test. If the test result is under 45 minutes call PROP. The battery probably needs replacing. Make sure you recharge the battery after testing so it is ready to use. Charging: Disconnect your ventilator from the wheelchair battery and plug it into a wall outlet. Charge your battery daily. Charging your wheelchair when your ventilator is connected will not fully charge your ventilator’s internal battery. Liquids and Your Ventilator • Keep all liquids away from your ventilator • Rain and snow can damage your ventilator if it is not properly covered. Contact PROP for advice on how to cover your ventilator to protect it in wet weather. • It is essential to call PROP anytime liquid is spilled on your unit. Do so even if the unit appears to be functioning normally. Client Tips • Check your respiratory supplies on a monthly basis. Keep enough stock on hand so that you only need to order supplies a few times a year. This way there is no panic when you run short or something is no longer available. (Jeanette Andersen) • Never, ever go anywhere without your Ambu bag. (Alan Hurst) • I have a two-wheeled cart (the kind used by seniors for shopping) that a friend bought in a thrift store for $3.00. It’s very handy for transporting a back-up ventilator to and from a vehicle and it makes it so much easier for an attendant. (Jeanette Andersen) • Always take an emergency kit and a portable suction machine with you. Check both regularly to make sure they work. Carry extra suction catheters in your backpack. (Jeanette Andersen, Johanna Johnson, and Heather Morrison) • Take a back-up vent if possible, particularly if you are going on a long trip. This will increase your comfort and your attendant’s. (Jeanette Andersen, Johanna Johnson, and Heather Morrison) • Carry a cell phone. If you travel on your own you may need a voice-activated phone. Check that your phone is well charged before you go out. If you use a prepaid system make sure you have time left on your account. (Jeanette Andersen, Johanna Johnson, and Heather Morrison) • When I travel I always pack an extension cord with a couple of plugs. You would be amazed where hotel rooms have their plugs in the wall: sometimes your ventilator plug will not reach and many hotels do not have extension cords available for their guests. (Zosia Ettenberg) • Write down all your vent settings and store them in a safe place. Inevitably you’ll get your vent back (from repair) and the settings will have been changed. (Johanna Johnson) • Be organized and informed. Know your equipment and how to troubleshoot for problems. Know your vent settings. (Jeanette Andersen)