Humidification
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| Illustration of Mist Collar Setup. |
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| Illustration Heat Moisture Exchanger. |
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| Illustration of Mist Collar in place on a child. |
Purpose | When | Tips
Purpose
Your nose warms, moistens and filters air that you breathe. With a trach, air your child breathes goes directly into the lungs through the trach tube. There are a few ways to add extra humidity to:
- Prevent your child's trach tube from clogging off with mucus.
- Prevent dry air that may cause more coughing and blood tinged mucus.
A mist collar keeps:
- The airway warm and moist.
- Keeps mucus loose.
An "artificial nose" helps:
- Hold your child's own warmth and moisture in the airway.
- Filter small objects from the airway.
A room humidifier helps:
- Add extra moisture to the room
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When
Adding humidity to the airway should be part of your child's daily routine.
Mist Collar
A mist collar should be worn when:
- Your child is asleep
- Oxygen is being used through the trach tube
- It is needed for thick or blood tinged mucus
Always be sure that your mist is working and there is enough water supply needed to make the mist.
Artificial Nose
An "artificial nose" can be worn:
- During the day when off the mist setup
- Especially when outside on cold or windy days
- The "noses" are changed daily or as needed when damp or soiled.
Room Humidifiers
Room humidifiers are sometimes used:
- By older children who do not like mist collars.
- Seasonally when the air is drier.
Humidifiers should be cleaned thoroughly to prevent mold and spore growth.
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| Download the Tracheotomy Care Handbook |
 You can download the entire Tracheotomy Care Manual (1166k) in portable document format (.pdf). |
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Tips
What to use if your child is refusing to wear a mist collar or "artificial nose":
- A loose fitting cloth bib without plastic backing
- Saline drops with or without suctioning
- Set up a play or quiet area close to the mist machine
- A room humidifier is sometime approved for older children
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Revised 7/07
