Taking the fear out of tracheostomy

Taking the fear out of tracheostomy management will be the theme of a national study day in Limerick on February 27, organised by the Department of Otorhinolarygology at the Mid Western Regional Hospital.
The event, being held at the University of Limerick with the assistance of the Graduate Entry Medical School, will focus on “The Tracheostomy Safety Pathway – The Journey from ICU to HDU to Ward to Successful Decannulation/or Home.”
ENT consultant Joe Hughes commented, “We hope to guide a wide variety of our medical and nursing colleagues through the Safety Journey by simplifying the core principles. In particular participants will be taken through the accidental decannulation and cardiac respiratory arrest scenario and reinsertion with ‘hands on’ expert support by our multidisciplinary team using natural and simulated airways.
“In addition a number of patients who have lived the experience have volunteered to assist, which is a tremendous act of public service. They continue to inspire us to do even better in this specialised area and I would like to pay tribute to them for their public spirit.”
The international guest speaker on the day will be Nico Jones, consultant ENT head and neck surgeon, from Guy’s and St Thomas’, London, who will focus on paediatric airway reconstruction surgery.
Further details from Carmel O’Sullivan on 061 482111 or email carmel.osullivan1@hse.ie.