6. Removing the PMV
®
When removing the PMV from your tracheostomy tube, place one
hand on your tracheostomy tube neckplate to keep the tracheostomy
tube from moving and with the other hand gently twist the PMV
off of the hub of the tube. Record your vital signs in the “After”
rotates it may be necessary to use a rocking rather than twisting
motion to remove the PMV.
For Ventilator Use
Remove PMV from ventilator circuit and replace with set-up
being used prior to PMV placement.
After PMV is removed and
original ventilator tubing is put in place, ventilator settings
should be returned to levels they were at before PMV placement
and tracheostomy tube cuff (if present) should then be reinflated.
Do not inflate tracheostomy tube cuff until ventilator settings are
returned to previous levels. Your PIP, after removing the PMV,
should be the same as it was before placing the PMV. Record
your PIP in the “After” column (page 7).
7. Getting Used to the PMV (Transitioning)
Tolerance Level
- Everyone adapts to the PMV at different rates.
quickly building up to wearing it all day. Other people take a little
longer to become used to the PMV and breathing “a different way.”
At first, they might only be able to wear the PMV for a few minutes
at a time so they slowly build up the amount of time the PMV is
not able to tolerate the PMV as long as the day before. This is not
IV
Troubleshooting
Motivation
frustration related to difficulty speaking. By taking time to allow
yourself to adjust to this new breathing pattern, you should
gradually become more comfortable at working towards wearing
the PMV as much as you can tolerate. The following are some
things you may be able to do that might help to take your mind off
“The first time I tried the PMV
®
, I couldn’t tolerate it. I wasn’t used
to breathing out of my nose and mouth. That day I only wore the valve
for two minutes. Now I wear it twelve hours a day. I had to build up
my tolerance by using the PMV a little longer every day. If you only try
it once and don’t try it again you are making a big mistake. I can now
communicate like I used to, with my voice instead of having to write
everything or have people try to read my lips. It really helps me to be
more independent.”
Fitzpatrick Jones
COPD, Ventilator Dependent
Jamaica, NY
“Matthew was 3 1/2 years old and had been ventilator assisted for eight
months before we received the PMV. He had become frustrated because
he could not communicate. When we first tried the PMV, it was a little
difficult, he wore it for just five minutes and cried. Later that same day
we tried it again and by keeping him distracted, he was able to wear it for
twenty minutes. The next day he wore it for five hours while we played
and read stories to him. It was like opening up a door into his mind.
Matthew is now 12 years old, very verbal, and the PMV has allowed him
to go to school, talk, sing and to participate with all the other children
and be with his friends. In other words, ‘to be just like any other kid’.”
Tom and Debra Poehlman
Parents of Matthew Poehlman
Spinal Cord Injury
Northridge, CA
involve blowing air out of the mouth - blowing a party horn,
