Tutorial presented by Jo Cooke, Tracheostomy Advanced Nurse Specialist, Great Ormond Street Hospital

In this tutorial, Jo outlines the six key areas of basic paediatric tracheostomy care, which have been shown to reduce adverse events in paediatric tracheostomy care, improving outcomes for children both in hospitals and at home. These priorities are depicted in the poster, linked below.

1. Tapes (T): Properly securing the tracheostomy tube with correct tape tension to prevent trauma or accidental decannulation.
2. Resuscitation (R): Knowing the resuscitation process using recognized algorithms and maintaining safety with proper equipment and tube management.
3. Airway (A): Correct suctioning techniques to maintain tube patency and prevent trauma or infection.
4. Care of Site and Stoma (C): Maintaining intact skin around the neck to secure the tube properly, with daily cleaning and appropriate dressings.
5. Humidity (H): Ensuring adequate humidification to maintain healthy tubes, using heat and moisture exchangers, nebulisation, or continuous humidity as needed.
6. Emergency Box (E): Having an easily recognisable and accessible emergency box with essential items (e.g., tubes, tapes, suction catheter) to manage emergencies promptly.