Essential steps in managing a tracheostomy-related emergency

 

Below are the algorithms for tracheostomy and laryngectomy emergencies. Please familiarise yourself with them. 

 

The essential steps in managing a tracheostomy-related emergency are:

 

• Recognise whether the patient has a potentially patent upper airway or not:

  • Tracheostomy or laryngectomy

  • Known difficult upper airway

• Call for appropriate help

• Apply oxygen to the face and tracheostomy

• Assess the patency of the tracheostomy

• Remove a blocked or displaced tracheostomy if the patient is deteriorating

• Basic oxygenation

• Basic and advanced ventilation

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Click the images below to download a PDF version of the corresponding algorithm.