Video: Caring for a child with a tracheostomy

Our physicians are among the best

As children grow their airway and lungs grow and change. It is important that their tracheostomy and home ventilator care is managed by neonatal and pediatric trained specialists. Our program’s multidisciplinary approach and commitment to the highest quality of care makes our program the premier tracheostomy/home ventilator program in the region. Your child will receive care from multiple expertly trained physicians including pediatric pulmonologists, pediatric otolaryngologists, neonatologists, pediatric critical care specialists, and pediatric anesthesiologists. Our doctors are among the best in the nation and rank among The Best Doctors in America.

Program highlights

• We have treated over 1,000 children with tracheostomies since the inception of our program in 1984.
• Our program was one of the first in the country to discharge children to home on a ventilator.
• We currently care for over 150 children living in the Midwest.
• The Tracheostomy/Home Ventilator Program is part of the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, which has been named among the nation's best in U.S. News & World Report's since 2018.
• Our program developed an educational manual and multiple teaching videos for parents and caregivers who care for a child with a tracheostomy.
• Our interdisciplinary team offers a Pediatric Ventilator Certification Course to home care nurses monthly.

The family experience

• We believe that trust, education, and open communication are the key components to building strong relationships with children and their families, especially when a tracheostomy is first being discussed.
• We have a multidisciplinary team that works closely with each child and his or her family. Team members include a pulmonary physician, otolaryngologist, respiratory care practitioner, social worker, speech therapist, and case manager.
• A trach/vent nurse is assigned to work with the family to manage and coordinate both inpatient and outpatient care.
• All families and caregivers participate in a training program to prepare them to care for their child with a tracheostomy at home.
• Home care nurses receive ventilator training certification by our respiratory and nursing staff as required by the state of Wisconsin to care for a child on a home ventilator.
• We work closely with school nurses and educators to facilitate the child's transition back to school.
• Our speech therapists educate and share information with local community speech therapists to promote effective therapy plans to care for a child with a tracheostomy.
• We contact local EMS services and energy companies alerting them that a child is on a ventilator in their area.