TRACHEOSTOMY

Course overview

A TRACHEOSTOMY (OR TRACHEOTOMY, WHILE THERE ARE TECHNICAL DIFFERENCES, THESE TERMS ARE COLLOQUIALLY USED INTERCHANGEABLY. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, WE WILL USE 'TRACHEOSTOMY') IS A SURGICAL PROCEDURE TO CREATE AN OPENING IN THE ANTERIOR TRACHEA TO FACILITATE RESPIRATION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE INDICATIONS, PROCESSES, AND MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WHO WILL NEED OR WHO HAVE A TRACHEOSTOMY AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING THE CARE OF PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO A TRACHEOSTOMY.