admintrach care.
- Open trach gauze and regular gauze.
- Cut the trach ties to appropriate length (if trach ties are to be changed).
- Pour 1/2 strength hydrogen peroxide into one cup and sterile water into the other.
- Clean the skin around the trach tube with Q-tips soaked in 1/2 strength hydrogen peroxide.
Using a rolling motion, work from the center outward using four swabs, one for each quarter around the stoma and under the flange of the tube.
Do not allow any liquid to get into trach tube or stoma area under the tube.
- Rinse the area with Q-tip soaked in sterile water.
- Pat dry with gauze pad or dry Q-tips.
- Change the trach ties if needed.
- Check the skin under the trach ties.
- For tracheostomy tubes with cuffs, check with your surgeon’s office for specific cuff orders.
- Monitor skin for signs of infection. If the stoma area becomes red, swollen, inflamed, warm to touch or has a foul odour, or if the patient develops a fever, call your surgeon’s office.
- Check with the doctor before applying any salves or ointments near the trach. If an antibiotic or anti-fungal ointment is ordered by one of our doctors, apply the ointment lightly with a cotton swab in the direction away from the trach stoma.
- Wash your hands after each trach care.
Source: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/tracheostomy/living/stoma.html
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