TY - JOUR T1 - Long-term tracheostomy care: How to do it JF - Breathe JO - Breathe SP - 204 LP - 213 DO - 10.1183/18106838.0503.204 VL - 5 IS - 3 AU - Gunilla Björling Y1 - 2009/03/01 UR - http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/5/3/204.abstract N2 - Educational aimsTo provide an overview of long-term tracheostomy care.To increase the understanding of long-term tracheostomy care.To increase knowledge about tube selection.To improve understanding of how to avoid serious complicationsSummary The overall aim for long-term tracheostomy care is to help those with respiratory failure to achieve a high-quality active life. A long-term tracheostomy does not necessarily mean an increased need for hospital care. With an optimally fitted tracheostomy tube, patient and staff education and regular follow-ups, serious complications can be avoided. This article describes predictors of good long-term tracheostomy care, such as tube selection, indications of change and follow-up. ER -