Bedside guide routine tracheostomy care

This bedside guide is intended for the use of all healthcare staff who are looking after adult patients with tracheostomies. The tasks described should NOT be attempted by those who have not received training or been deemed as competent in tracheostomy care and management.

This guide does not override the responsibility of the healthcare provider to use professional judgement and make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of each patient in consultation with the patient and/or guardian.

Whilst this document is aimed primarily at staff working in secondary care, much of the material is applicable to primary care (GPs, community care homes and carers). It is designed to help you provide consistent, high quality care for your patients with a tracheostomy.