Humidity and a tracheostomy

Humidification and a tracheostomy

When people do not have a tracheostomy tube, their nose and mouth warm and humidify (moisten) the air they breathe. When you have a tracheostomy tube, the air no longer goes through your nose or mouth. This means the air you breathe is not moistened. You will need to add extra moisture to the airway so your secretions can be removed by suctioning or coughing.

Get moisture by

• Using humidifiers
• Drinking plenty of fluids

You will need more humidity when

• It is winter and your home is dry
• Your secretions are thick, dry, or crusty
• Your secretions are pink or have a little bit of blood in them

Put an ultrasonic nebulizer or cool-mist humidifier where you sleep to help keep the air moist.

Some people do well with a heat moisture exchanger (HME) device. This fits over the tracheostomy tube and helps trap moisture.

Humidifier care: each day

1. Empty and clean the humidifier tub with hot, soapy water.
2. Rinse well.
3. Fill with fresh tap water. Never add water to the humidifier without cleaning the tub.

Humidifier care: each week

1. Empty the humidifier tub and rinse well.
2. Fill the humidifier tub with equal parts vinegar and water.
3. Turn the humidifier on for 1 hour. Place the humidifier in an empty room, because the vinegar has a strong smell.
4. Empty the humidifier tub and wash all the parts with hot, soapy water.
5. Rinse well.
6. Fill the humidifier tub with clean water and turn it on for 1 more hour.
7. Empty the humidifier tub and let it air dry.
8. Fill the humidifier tub with fresh tap water when ready to use.