title: Basic nursing principles of caring for patients with a tracheostomy.
abstract: This one-part unit outlines background information to complement a series of Practical Procedures articles, starting in next week's issue, on caring for patients with a tracheostomy. This article outlines general principles of tracheostomy care, while the series details specific procedures such as suction, inner tube change and dressing.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Higgins
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001828:Body Image; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology