Home care of the pediatric tracheostomy: our experience.

Sixteen children with indwelling tracheostomy tubes or Montgomery T-tubes were cared for at home under the supervision of the Respiratory Home Care Program. The infants and children ranged in age from five months to 15 years and required tracheostomy for various forms of pathology. There was one unexpected death at home, but it did not appear to be caused by tracheostomy tube problems. We believe that home tracheostomy care in the pediatric patient is safe and is a great benefit to the wellbeing of the patient.