3. Suctioning
Suction
your tracheostomy tube and mouth (as needed) to remove
®
secretions from your airway before using the PMV will allow air to
move more freely around the tracheostomy tube and will make you
feel more comfortable while wearing the PMV. These secretions can
removed.
4. Deflating the Cuff
If you have a cuffed tracheostomy tube,
please read the
following very carefully as the cuff must be
completely deflated
nose when the PMV is being used. Attach the Pilot Balloon Label
to the pilot balloon line of the tracheostomy tube, if not already
in place. If you have a cuffed tracheostomy tube you might wish
If you have a cuffless (no cuff) tube,
you may skip this step
it and out of your mouth and nose while using the PMV.
WARNING: TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE CUFF MUST BE
COMPLETELY DEFLATED
BEFORE PLACING THE PMV. AN INFLATED CUFF WILL BLOCK THE SPACE IN
THE AIRWAY AROUND THE TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE AND PREVENT THE PMV
USER FROM EXHALING. PMV USER WILL BE UNABLE TO BREATHE IF CUFF
IS NOT
COMPLETELY DEFLATED
TO ALLOW AIR TO BE EXHALED AROUND
THE TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE AND OUT OF THE MOUTH AND NOSE.
before and after
cuff deflation
both
these secretions drop into the airway and may cause breathing
Use the PMVs with Different Types of Tracheostomy Tubes
Fig. 5 Cuffed Tracheostomy Tube (A) Inflated Cuff (air in cuff) and (B) Deflated
Cuff (no air in cuff)
A
B
®
can be
completely deflated
to
most amount of room present in the trachea (airway). This will
the vocal cords and out the nose and mouth. It may be helpful to
For Ventilator Use
When a cuffed tracheostomy tube is present and the tracheostomy
tube cuff is deflated, the seal that the cuff provided is lost and some
of the air that is delivered by the ventilator may escape around the
tube. To avoid large leaks, always deflate the cuff slowly over 2–3
minutes which will allow your airway time to adjust to the airflow.
Frequently, ventilator changes can be made to compensate for the
escaping air so that you will continue to receive the same amount
of support from the ventilator as you do when the PMV is not being
used. Each patient’s needs are different. Your doctor will determine
what ventilator adjustments (if any) should be made.
After cuff deflation and recommended/prescribed ventilator
changes are made, check the PIP pressure again. Record this in
the space provided (Before PMV/Deflated Cuff, page 7). Ask your
doctor and/or health care professional the range that the PIP
should remain in while you use the PMV and write it down in the
space marked “My PIP range is” (page 7).
WARNING: ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE VENTILATOR MUST BE APPROVED
BY A DOCTOR.
