Medical Malpractice

Will someone explain to me the procedure of a tracheostomy?

My mom has a disposable tracheostomy, she's had in for about 3 months (no one told us it was only supposed to last for a month.) About 2 weeks ago she started having some problems with it, a little bit of bleeding and pain around the stoma. We went to the doctor and he looked at it and said it wasn't infected but it was ready to come out since it's been in there so long, the area is just irritated. Friday she is scheduled for it to be taken out and replaced with a smaller trach and one that isn't disposable. She's worried, as am I. Her doctor is also a resident; we go to Rush Medical Center in downtown Chicago (university hospital). It's a good hospital, and we've had some good doctors who care. But, the resident thing freaks me out and supposedly this is an office procedure. He said it would bleed most likely, but it's not a procedure to be alarmed about. Should we be worried? How extensive is the procedure? Is it normally an out-patient thing?

Public Comments

1. There's no need to be concerned, it's considered a simple procedure in which the trach she has now is slipped out and a smaller one is put in its place. There's no need for inpatient status in this situation, but remember that any complications at all that occur should be mild and things will be fine. Anytime something like this is removed, bleeding is quite normal for the first couple of days, but it should be minimal-any more than that should be reported immediately. Good luck, I think that things will be okay.
2. Hai Sam, Do not worry. If the tracheostomy is performed at very first time then you need a in-patient settings like operation theatre or intensive care settings. In your mom case, you need not worry about this. She is going to have her trachy-tube changed. It can safely be done in the out-patient settings. During the procedure, the person who undertakes the procedure will require a suction apparatus just to remove the secretions while changing the tube. I am sure, suction apparatus will be available in the out-patient dept. You may expect a mild blood ooze from the stoma site which may only last for a day unless your mom has got blood clotting problem before. Otherwise, the procedure will only last for 15 minutes. Your mom may cough during and after the procedure and will get a supplemental oxygen during the procedure. A mild sedation may be required during the procedure. Don`t worry she will be alright.