Letter from the ENT Team
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
As you have already discussed with your ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) doctor, a tracheotomy will be performed on your child to help him or her breathe. This letter is written to help prepare you for what to expect during your child's hospital stay and discharge process.
To ensure the safest care for your child at all times, at least two caregivers must be educated in the care of the tracheotomy. The education has many parts, and you and a second person will be required to learn all parts of your child's tracheotomy care before discharge to home.
There are learning requirements that must be met before discharge can occur. Teaching will start the day of surgery for all caregivers.
First, all parts of the teaching plan must be met by you and your co-caregiver. Then, to ensure that you and the second caregiver can safely and comfortably care for your child's tracheotomy, you each will be expected to show that you can care for your child, without coaching from the nursing staff or other family members for a 24-hour period. This period is called transitional care.
The social worker and discharge coordinator will help you make plans for home equipment, supplies and nursing. Home equipment and supplies must be in place before discharge. Benefits will be explored to see if private duty nursing is available. If private duty nursing is an available benefit, it must be arranged prior to discharge.
The estimated length of stay in the hospital can vary according to your learning needs, planning for home equipment and supplies, and the availability of private duty nursing. This process usually takes at least 2 weeks, but it may take longer.
This time can be a very stressful for families. We are here to support you and your family during this process. To help with your learning process, we have enclosed a teaching packet that you should review before the tracheotomy surgery.
If you have special learning needs, please let us know so we can make special arrangements. If you should have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the airway nurses, 513-636-4610.
Sincerely,
The ENT Team
Revised 7/07
