HINT: What is included in an emergency tracheostomy kit?

Connected Care Quick Hits are up to date and evidence based recommendations for the care of children with medical complexity & technology dependence, from hospital to home.

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HINT: What is included in an emergency tracheostomy kit?

SITUATION: 

This QuickHit was informed by Just In Time Training with home and community care provider who described being unsure about what is included in an emergency tracheostomy kit. 

BACKGROUND:

Children with tracheostomy tubes require an emergency tracheostomy kit. Emergency equipment must remain with the child and be easily accessible for both routine and emergency use at all times.  

Home and community care providers should ensure that the emergency tracheostomy kit has the appropriate contents at the beginning of each shift and before travelling.  

ASSESSMENT:

The emergency tracheostomy kit should contain the following equipment:  

• Spare tracheostomy tube (same size) with obturator and ties assembled  

• Spare tracheostomy tube (one size smaller) with obturator and ties assembled 

• Normal saline (e.g., nebules)  

• Water soluble lubricant  

• Blunt-ended scissors  

• Clean tracheostomy gauze  

• Manual suction set up (syringe with appropriately sized feeding tube attached)  

• Syringe +/- sterile water (for cuffed tracheostomy tubes only)  

RECOMMENDATION:

Connected Care recommends the following when caring for children with tracheostomy tubes:  

• Check the contents of the emergency tracheostomy kit at the beginning of each shift and before travelling. If children have more than one emergency tracheostomy kit, ensure that all are checked.  

• Ensure that all supplies in the kit are not expired.  

• The tracheostomy tubes should be checked to ensure that the obturator slides in and out with ease, there are no cracks, the labels on the flange are legible, and cuffs are checked if applicable. Confirm that tracheostomy ties are in good condition as well.  

• Ensure that the emergency tracheostomy kit is with the child and easily accessible at all times.  

• Ensure that only necessary emergency supplies are placed in the kit. Avoid overfilling with extra supplies as this may delay finding the item(s) you need in an emergency situation.  

• Keep both of the spare tracheostomy tubes separate from each other in clear, labelled bags (e.g., using bright coloured labels).  

• Review this AboutKidsHealth article that reviews the contents of the emergency kit, and how to change a tracheostomy tube.