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Friday, August 2, 2024

Instructions for inpatient care of laryngectomees.

 It is advisable that laryngectomees provide the Instructions below to the medical staff who cares for them:



INSTRUCTIONS:  INPATIENT CARE OF LARYNGECTOMEE

 

GENERAL

  • 100% neck breather. Breathe through neck stoma.
  • Air, oxygen, suction and respiration resuscitation is through my stoma.
  • Keep my trachea moist by inserting saline bullets every 3-4 hours.
  • I do not have radial artery pulse on my left/right arm (in case you had a free flap)

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RESPIRATORY SUPPORT:

  • To deliver respiratory support, or if I am unconscious, remove HME (heat moisture exchanger filter) if you wear one).
  • Oxygen given to me should be humidified.
  • Oxygen mask should be “child-mask” size over stoma.
  • If I am not able to cough, I need to be frequently suctioned through the stoma. 


COMMUNICATION:

  • I am unable to speak without HME (if you wear one  over my stoma.
  • Without HME, I can communicate via lip reading or writing on a board or paper.
  • I have a round 10 mm plastic voice prosthesis inside my trachea, visible through the stoma.
  • Don’t remove, even if I need to be intubated. 

NEED ASSISTANCE?

Contact a speech pathologist for supplies & help.

Click to get the link to obtain the Instructions