title: Long-term care of the tracheostomy patient.
abstract: Care of the long-term tracheostomy patient is changing. By moving the initiation of tracheostomy out of the operating room and shifting responsibility for the procedure to the medical specialist, more patients are undergoing tracheostomy for a wider spectrum of diagnoses. With much of the aftercare now directed by the medical specialist, successful reintegration of the long-term tracheostomy patient into a productive life is dependent upon the collaborative care of several disciplines directed by the specialist. To effectively care for these challenging patients, it is critical for the physician who performs tracheostomy to be aware of the new caregiving role that is now theirs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, 350 West Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA. s3wright@chw.edu
authors.forename: Shawn E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: VanDahm
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000639:trends*; D017028:Caregivers; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010819:Physician's Role; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013396:Suction; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015300:Ventilator Weaning