NURSING CARE: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF TRACHEOSTOMY CARE AT HOME.

In recent years, the number of patients with tracheostomy is increasing internationally. Tracheotomy is defined as a surgical operation that allows airway patency by creating an opening in alignment of the front wall of trachea on the 3rd or 4th cartilaginous ring; and it is known to be one of the earliest lifesaving methods. Changes in health care and economic pressures have led to shorter stays in acute care facilities, and as the number of tracheostomies being performed in ENT and ICU are increasing, more tracheostomized patients are being discharged home. For a patient to be discharged home with tracheostomy patients should be independent with their care needs. It is essential for the nurses to consider the individual's ability in light of this and prevent complications on long-term tracheostomy. The process of patient home care after discharge hospital includes preventing infection, suctioning, humidification, nutrition, tube cleaning, tube changing, stoma care and tracheostomy ties changing.