Planning for medical emergencies

Download PDF Print

PDF download is not available for Arabic and Urdu languages at this time. Please use the browser print function instead

When your child has a tracheostomy tube, it is important that you be prepared for potential emergencies. This page contains planning sheets to help you prepare.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to: 

  • review your child's medical emergency plan
  • describe what to do in the event of a fire or power failure

An emergency plan will not ​only help your child with a tracheostomy tube but also help you feel more confident and in control when serious difficulties arise.

Information for emergency personnel

Preparing the information below will save you a lot of time and help you act quickly if needed.

Your child's details
Name:
Date of birth:
Child's health card number:
Insurance company and policy number, if any:
Other health insurance details, if any:
Reason for tracheostomy:
Child's medical history:
Child's allergies:
Street address:
City:
Postal code:
Home phone:
Cell phone:
Emergency contact numbers:
Primary care team name and contact numbers:
Email:
Other:
Your child's medications
Medication nameWhat is the medication for?
How much your child takes (in a single dose)When your child takes it









































Your child's tracheostomy equipment
Make/brand (Shiley/Bivona/other):
Size:
Type:
Cuffed/uncuffed:

If cuffed:

  • Air
  • Sterile water

How many mL of air or water in the cuff when it is inflated: _____ mL

Suction Catheter sizes for current size tracheostomy tube and one size smaller:
_____________FR
_____________FR

What does your child wear over their tracheostomy tube (indicate type, if needed)

  • HME: ________________________
  • Speaking valve: _______________
  • Trach mask - size: ______________
  • Cap: ________________________
  • Ventilator tubing – type of ventilator circuit: _________________________
  • Heated high flow humidifier (with a trach adaptor or trach mask)
    • Flow ______ lpm
    • Temperature ____°C
    • Oxygen _____ %

Oxygen devices for home and travel:

  • Concentrator
  • Large tank
  • Small tanks

Litre per minute (Lpm) of oxygen prescribed:

  • Add to ventilator: ______________Lpm
  • Add to manual resuscitation bag: _________________Lpm
  • Add to trach mask: ________________________Lpm
  • Add to HME: ___________________Lpm
  • Add to speaking valve: ____________Lpm
Oxygen saturation (SpO2) goal range: __________to___________%:
Dates of previous tracheostomy tube changes:
Respiratory vendor information:
Name: ___________________________
Phone number: ____________________
Location: _________________________
Website (some vendors allow online ordering): _________________________
Other:
Your child's ventilator settings (if they use a ventilator)
SettingsPrescription
Tracheostomy Brand/type
Size
Dual prescriptionOn/Off
Circuit typeActive/passive/other
Disposable or reusable
Circuit sizePaediatric/adult
Circuit tubing Heated
Auto feed water bag and canister setup? Y/N
Non-heated
Inline suctionYes/No
If yes, indicate size
Settings below are for the commonly used Trilogy ventilator. Use the empty boxes below to fill in settings that are not here or different on your child’s ventilator. Daytime/chair settings Nighttime settings
Mode
Dual prescription
AVAPS/tidal volume​On/Off/mLs
IPAP/inspiratory pressurecmH2O
IPAP min/max pressurecmH2O
EPAP/PEEPcmH2O
Breath ratebpm
Pressure supportcmH2O
Inspiratory timeseconds
Trigger typeFlow/Auto
Rise time1-6
Trigger sensitivityLpm
Cycle sensitivity%
Ramp length0-45 mins/Off
Alarms and options
Circuit disconnect60 sec-Off
Apnea/apnea rate60 sec-Off/bpm
Low/High VtemL
Low/high min ventLpm/Off
Low/high RRbpm/Off
OxygenLpm
Humidifier setting and/or type of inline HME
Mechanical in-exsufflation (CoughAssist) settings
Set parametersPreset 1Preset 2Preset 3
Mode
Cough trakOn/Off
Inhale pressure+cmH2O
Inhale flowlow/medium/high
Inhale timesec
Exhale pressure-cmH2O
Exhale timesec
Pause timesec
Oscillationinhale/exhale/both
FrequencyHz
AmplitudecmH2O
Mask size or tracheostomy adaptor
Prescribed treatment
Number of cough cycles per set:
Number of sets per treatment:
Number of treatments per day:

Emergency planning in case of a fire or power failure

Always have a working fire extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home. It is wise to record the details of your nearest fire department and your electricity provider. Notify your nearest fire department if you have oxygen in your home and notify your electricity provider that you have medical equipment at home.

Fire extinguishers

  • Have two fire extinguishers in your home.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

  • Have one working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector on every level in your home, away from bathrooms, the kitchen, heating equipment and ceiling fans.
  • Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year, for example when you change your clocks in the spring and the fall. Each time you change the batteries, write the date on the detectors.
  • Push the test button on the detectors once a month. If there is no alarm, replace the battery and test again.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to keep the units free of dust so they can continue working properly.
  • Post a "No Smoking/Flame" sign, if your child uses oxygen.
Fire department
Phone:
Nearest intersection to your home:
Electricity provider
Name:
Phone:
Your account number:
Contact person:
Role:

Identifying the nearest acute care hospital

In an emergency, it is important to know where your nearest hospital emergency department is located.

Hospital
Name:
Phone:
Address:

Nearest intersection to hospital:

What equipment do I need to bring to the hospital in an emergency, if time permits?

In an emergency you will have to leave your home quickly. Preparing a list of supplies and equipment will help.

Your list should include:

​​
Last updated: November 10th 2023