Apnea monitor use for patients with a trach andor vent (1213)
Key points below
For patients with a Trach or Vent
What does the apnea monitor do?
The apnea monitor will alert you if your child’s heart rate goes too high or too low. It will also alert you if there are pauses in your child’s breathing.
What supplies do I need?
- Apnea monitor
- Leads – Black lead patches or Sticky leads
- Belt
- Lead wires
- Patient cable
- AC cable
How do I hook up the monitor?
Belt leads
- Plug the AC cable into a wall outlet.
- Plug the patient cable into the monitor.
- Plug the lead wires into the patient cable.
- Slide the metal ends of the wires into the black lead patches.
- Put the patches on the belt so they sit under the arms (white plug on the right, on the left).
- Use the Velcro to attach the belt to your child so the belt fits snug around the chest at the nipple line.
Note: The black lead patches are not latex-free. Please tell your child’s doctor if your child has a latex allergy or sensitivity.
Sticky leads
- Plug the AC cable into the wall outlet.
- Plug the patient cable into the monitor.
- Plug the lead wires into the patient cable.
- Attach the sticky leads to the chest under the arms at the nipple line (white plug on the right, black plug on the left).
Special directions
Always use the monitor:
- While your child is sleeping.
- When you cannot see your child.
- As instructed by your child’s physician.
- If you are in the car alone with your child or on a long car ride.
Note: Do not stop using the monitor without talking with your child’s doctor.
- At home, make sure you can easily see and hear the monitor.
- Put the monitor on a sturdy table or shelf.
- The monitor has a battery that will run for 15 hours.
- The monitor is used as an additional alarm for children on a ventilator, and the only alarm for children with a trach.
| Alarm cause | Possible reason |
| High heart rate | Your child may be crying, restless, have a fever, or need to be suctioned. |
| Slow heart rate | Your child may be in a deep sleep or not breathing. An oxygen or ventilator tube may be disconnected. The trach tube may be plugged or out of your child. |
| Slow breath or apnea | Your child may not be breathing or may not have taken a breath within the set alarm limit. The trach tube may be plugged or out of your child. |
How do I clean the monitor?
- Once a week, hand wash the belt with warm, soapy water.
- Wipe the black lead patches off with warm, soapy water.
- Wipe the monitor off with a damp cloth to remove dust.
- Change the sticky leads as needed or as you were told by your child’s home care company.
This sheet was created to help you care for your child or family member. It does not take the place of medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.