Pediatric tracheostomy care
Tracheostomy Care at home
A tracheostomy changes how a child breathes, not where they should live. Our nurses provide skilled trach care in your home, so your child can be at home safely.
What this involves
A tracheostomy is a surgical opening in the neck through which a child breathes, usually through a small tube. Children need one for many reasons: a narrowed airway, weak breathing muscles, long-term ventilator support, or an airway that needs protecting.
Caring for a trach at home is a skill, and it is one that has no margin for improvisation. Suction technique, tube security, humidification, skin care around the stoma and knowing the early signs of a blocked tube all matter every single shift. That is the work our nurses are there to do, alongside you.
On every shift
What our nurses do
Written into the care plan, done the same way every shift, and documented.
- Suctioning to keep the airway clear, at the frequency your child needs
- Routine tracheostomy tube and tie changes, and stoma skin care
- Humidification to keep secretions thin and the airway comfortable
- Continuous monitoring of breathing, colour, oxygen saturation and work of breathing
- Emergency airway readiness: spare tubes, suction and a practised plan at the bedside
- Teaching and re-teaching the family, at your pace, until it feels routine
Staying ready for the bad night
Most trach days are ordinary. The reason skilled nursing matters is the night that is not: a mucus plug, a dislodged tube, a chest infection that changes the picture within an hour.
Our nurses work to a written plan built around your child: what normal looks like for them, what the first signs of trouble are, what to do in what order, and when to call 911. Emergency equipment stays checked and within reach, and we practise the plan rather than filing it.
Questions
Questions families ask about tracheostomy care
Can my child go to school with a tracheostomy?
Many children with a tracheostomy attend school. Whether nursing support is needed during the school day depends on your child’s needs and your school district’s arrangements. Your child’s physician and care team can advise on what is safe, and we can help you plan around a school schedule.
How often does a tracheostomy tube need changing?
The schedule is set by your child’s physician and varies with the type of tube and your child’s needs. Some children have routine weekly changes; others differ. Our nurses follow the schedule your child’s clinician has written, and document every change.
Will a nurse teach us to do trach care ourselves?
Yes. Family teaching is part of the work, not an extra. Most parents learn suctioning and tie changes first, then tube changes, at whatever pace feels manageable. Being able to care for your own child confidently is the goal.
Also available
Other services
Ventilator Care
Skilled care for children on mechanical ventilation, with continuous monitoring and rapid response.
G-Tube & Enteral Feeding
Nutritional support and feeding tube care, built around your child’s schedule and your family’s routines.
Seizure Management
Monitoring, accurate medication administration, and calm, practised response when seizures happen.
Oxygen & Respiratory Support
Assessment and therapy to support breathing and oxygenation, day and night.
Medication Management
Timely, accurate administration and documentation of complex medication regimens.
Complex Nursing
Coordinated, whole-child care for children whose needs cross several conditions at once.
Content last reviewed . This page is general information, not medical advice — please talk to your child’s physician about their care.
Talk to a nurse, not a call centre
Tell us what your child needs and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.