Need Advice on TRACH LTV 1150

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I just started working in home health and have no experience with trach. Theres a new case on a 9 month old but I'm nervous to say yes to working with this pt. I guess I'm just looking for advise, would you take a new case with a 9 mo old if you've never had experience? I did get training on the machine, how it's connected and what the alarms mean, but have no idea on trouble shooting if any problems. And I know that we need to follow nursing care plan in case something does go wrong, but I guess I'm just nervous to even give it a try. Just need advise or any tips you may have.

Thanks

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Did you have an inservice on vents??

I had a four day course on vents before I took a vent patient, which I took a 1 year old on a vent, and felt very comfortable taking a patient.

Fast forward 7 years later, love my vent patients! :yes:

I posted links to the manual, plus a link to your tube on a six part video on LTV vents-great information...If you start to have issues with the links, feel free to google LTV 950 vents.

http://www.apria.com/wps/wcm/connect/46cc7743-fe89-4be8-affe-f635809db7bf/Respiratory_Respiratory+Assist+Devices_Ventilator-LTV+Series.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Hope this helps! :)

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Thank You. I only attended one training class on the vent machine. But have not had any inservice.

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

If you have no trach or vent experience, it would be a very bad idea for you to take this patient. In the home, you are the only one who can troubleshoot problems & if you don't know how you have no one there to ask.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Thank You. I only attended one training class on the vent machine. But have not had any inservice.

This, to me, is not enough training. Is there a way to get a more comprehensive training? Will you be able to have a preceptor to be with you before going out on your own???

Once you start taking T/V cases, in my experience, even when you go to another company, they prefer to have you precept with someone who is much more experienced before taking a case on your own.

I suggest you advocate for yourself and make sure before you take on a case, for the safety of your patient and for your comfort. :yes:

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My first home care pt was a 1m old with a trach.... I had used a trach once before in my nursing experience. I was nervous.... Umm more like scared s#%# less. I didn't get good training either. Luckily one of the parents were always there at first. Eventually Trachs became like second nature to me.

I will caution you about a 9 month old. Around the age of 6m my pt started to pay a game called "Let's scare the crap out of everyone by pulling out my trach." The first time resulted in a 911 call because I was so scared. Now I'm so used to it and just pop it back in.

So my advice to you is if you do not feel confident going into the home where a 9m old will most likely try to disconnect the,self from the vent... Then turn down the job. Trust me, there are tons of jobs for pedi home nursing.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Bad idea. Also sounds like you are talking about private duty and not home health. Before doing a vent case, you should get trach experience first. Then I would suggest that you do a vent case where it is used as a cpap and only at night so that if something goes wrong you could disconnect them and wake them.

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