What supplies are needed to teach proper trach care?

 

To properly teach tracheostomy (trach) care in a clinical or educational setting, you'll need a range of supplies to demonstrate and practice safe, hygienic techniques. Here's a comprehensive list of essential materials:

 

  1. 1. Educational Tools
    • Anatomical model or manikin with a tracheostomy
    • Step-by-step instructional handouts or posters
    • Videos (optional, but helpful for visual learners)
  2. 2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    • Clean or sterile gloves (depending on institutional policy)
    • Mask
    • Eye protection or face shield (for suctioning)
  1. 3. Cleaning and Dressing Supplies
    • Normal saline or sterile water (for cleaning stoma area; depending on institutional policy)
    • Cotton-tipped applicators
    • Gauze pads (4 × 4s, sterile preferred)
    • Pre-cut trach dressing or foam trach dressing
    • Hydrogen peroxide (diluted, if used per institution protocol)
  2. 4. Tracheostomy Tube Supplies
    • Spare trach tube (same size and one size smaller)
    • Obturator (for reinsertion of trach tube)
    • Trach ties or Velcro® trach holder
    • Scissors (blunt tip)
  3. 5. Suctioning Equipment
    • Suction machine (portable or wall-mounted)
    • Suction catheter (appropriate size, usually 12–14 Fr for adults)
    • Sterile water or saline (to clear suction tubing)
    • Yankauer suction tip (for oral suctioning)
    • Disposable suction canister (if not connected to wall suction)
  4. 6. Humidification and Airway Supplies
    • Heat moisture exchanger (HME) or trach mask
    • Humidifier/nebulizer (if needed for specific cases)
    • Oxygen source and tubing (if oxygen-dependent)
  5. 7. Emergency Supplies
    • Ambu bag with trach adapter
    • Lubricant (water soluble)
    • CPR Barrier mask (optional but recommended)
  6. Tips for Effective Teaching
    • Use hands-on practice with manikins whenever possible.
    • Demonstrate each step slowly, then supervise learners repeating it.
    • Emphasize infection control and emergency protocols.
    • Include scenarios for suctioning, accidental decannulation, and tube replacement.

Pocket Nurse® provides many of the above-mentioned supplies for trach care scenarios – call today to discover the right products for your program.