What is the difference between a home vent and a tracheostomy? I have heard they look a lot alike and function similiar. I keep thinking i'm looking at a tracheostomy when I guess I could be looking at a home vent and documenting wrong.
Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN 721 Posts Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc. Apr 4, 2009 A tracheostomy is a hole in the throat into the trachea used as an alternative airway. I have never heard the two terms used interchangably, because the tracheostomy is the airway and the "home vent" is the delivery system.
whipping girl in 07, RN 697 Posts Specializes in ICU, nutrition. Has 7 years experience. Apr 4, 2009 There are plenty of people who are trached who are not reliant on a vent for breathing. If the patient is on flowby oxygen without a machine, then it's just a trach. But if they have a vent then it's a home vent.
RN1982 3,362 Posts Specializes in ICU/Critical Care. Apr 4, 2009 home vent and trach are two different things.
Keysnurse2008 554 Posts Apr 5, 2009 A trach is just that ....a trach...a airway opening in the neck.A home vent is usually for long term pulmonary patients- it is a ventilator...a breathing machine.
