ORL-head and neck nursing : official journal of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses
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Over a period of 5000 years, dramatic changes have occurred in airway management, tracheotomy procedure terminology, indications, techniques, instruments, settings where procedures are performed, tube design and patient outcomes. Specialized knowledge and skills necessary to safely care for tracheostomy patients and to provide effective respiratory resuscitation are reviewed. The purpose of this paper is to document the history of the tracheotomy as a backdrop for understanding patient management. Recommendations for staff education regarding emergency ventilation of the tracheostomy patient are presented.