Tracheostomy care for children: For family caregivers and homecare providers

The first step in learning how to manage your child’s tracheostomy tube needs is to understand how the body breathes air in and out. This section guides you through the different parts of the respiratory system and how they work together​.

Your child has a condition that requires a tracheostomy tube, so it is vital to minimize the risk of infections. This section outlines how to identify and respond to the signs of an infection and how proper handwashing and mouth care can help keep your child safe.

Your child’s tracheostomy tube is now a vital part of their airway. Learn about the different parts of a tracheostomy tube and how the tube can affect your child’s health.

Manual ventilation lets you give air to your child through a manual resuscitation bag, for example after suctioning or if there is a problem with your child’s ventilator. This section explains how to perform manual ventilation and clean and test the bag.

Secretions (mucus) are produced in the nose, mouth and trachea and need to be cleared regularly to help your child breathe. Discover how to prepare and clean suctioning equipment and supplies, do different types of suctioning and troubleshoot problems.

The stoma is the opening through which your child’s tracheostomy tube is inserted into their airway. It is important to keep this area clean and dry to prevent infections. Find out how to care for your child’s stoma and prevent skin breakdown at the stoma site.

Warming and humidifying (adding water to) the air your child breathes in can help thin out mucus and let your child breathe more easily. Find out about different types of humidifiers, how they work and how often they should be changed.

Your child’s tracheostomy tube is now a vital part of their airway. Learn how to safely and effectively change your child’s tube and clean their equipment.

Tracheostomy tube emergencies can include trauma to the stoma, a mucous plug, accidental decannulation and respiratory distress in your child. It is important to learn how to recognize an emergency and know when to perform an emergency tracheostomy tube change.

In most cases, unless there is a heart condition, a child will need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because of an underlying breathing emergency. Learn how to identify and prevent breathing emergencies and how to do CPR for a child with a tracheostomy tube.

Having an emergency plan in place not only helps your child but also helps you feel more in control when serious difficulties arise. Learn what to do in case of a fire or a power failure and which health care information to record for emergency services teams.

Home oxygen therapy is oxygen that is provided through a machine at home when your child leaves hospital. This section describes different home oxygen systems, how to give oxygen to your child at home and how to transport and organize supplies when travelling.

Oxygen saturation is the amount of oxygen in your child’s red blood cells. An oximeter can monitor this to help you make sure your child is getting enough oxygen. Find out how to use and clean an oximeter and what to do if your child’s oxygen levels are low.

When a child has a tracheostomy tube, most of the air from their lungs bypasses their vocal folds. This can affect their ability to speak. Find out how a speaking valve can help your child, when and how to use a speaking valve and how to fix common problems.

Your child may need to regularly take medications for their lungs once they leave the hospital. Discover what you need to know about your child’s medications before they go home and how to deliver medications through a tracheostomy tube with a puffer or nebulizer.

Coughing is the body’s natural way to clear secretions from the lungs. If your child’s cough is weak, pulmonary clearance helps to strengthen it so they can clear their secretions. Discover how to safely perform the main types of pulmonary clearance techniques.

In this section, you can find a checklist to remind you when to clean or replace your child’s supplies. Also, learn how to clean your child's tracheostomy supplies and maintain their emergency kit.

As you care for a child with a tracheostomy tube, you will rely on the support of your personal network and a range of health care and equipment providers.

Learn how organizing your contacts and travel arrangements in advance can help make it easier to travel safely with your child.

School offers an important opportunity to learn, make friends and spend time outside the home. Learn how to make sure your child’s school environment is safe, which equipment your child needs at school and how to prepare for possible emergencies.

In this section, you can learn about the approximate costs of equipment and supplies and the type of funding available through Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program.