RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Facilitating Speech in the Patient With a Tracheostomy
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 519
OP 525
VO 50
IS 4
A1 Hess, Dean R
YR 2005
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/50/4/519.abstract
AB A tracheostomy tube decreases the ability of the patient to communicate effectively. The ability to speak provides an important improvement in the quality of life for a patient with a tracheostomy. In mechanically ventilated patients, speech can be provided by the use of a talking tracheostomy tube, using a cuff-down technique with a speaking valve, and using a cuff-down technique without a speaking valve. Speech can be facilitated in patients with a tracheostomy tube who are breathing spontaneously by use of a talking tracheostomy tube, by using a cuff-down technique with finger occlusion of the proximal tracheostomy tube, and with the use of a cuff-down technique with a speaking valve. Teamwork between the patient and the patient care team (respiratory therapist, speech-language pathologist, nurse, and physician) can result in effective restoration of speech in many patients with a long-term tracheostomy.