Question
What are some indications and reasons for tracheostomy?
Answer
There are many indications and reasons for tracheostomy. Some of the main indications include a patient presenting with an acute or chronic upper airway obstruction, predisposition to pulmonary aspiration, pulmonary impairment, cardiopulmonary arrest, cardiovascular involvement leading to CNS impairments, neurological impairment, or trauma to the airway or chest. In addition, intolerance to endotracheal tubes or being mechanically vent dependent may be cause for tracheostomy.
This Ask the Expert was taken from the course entitled: Breathe First, Then Eat: Effective Communication and Swallowing Management for the Tracheostomized and Vent Dependent Patient presented by Michelle Tristani and Kristin Conzo of PeopleFirst Rehabilitation.
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Michelle L. Tristani, M.S., CCC-SLP, is the National Rehab Clinical Specialist for Speech Pathology with Peoplefirst Rehab. Michelle has been employed with Kindred Healthcare since 1995 in both Kindred Hospitals and nursing facilities. She has delivered communication, cognition and swallowing diagnostic and therapeutic services within the adult and geriatric populations since 1991.
