How to Clean and Sanitize a Tracheostomy (Trach) Tube
A tracheostomy (trach) is a small opening that goes through the front of the neck into the windpipe (trachea). This opening helps a person breathe if their airway (breathing passage) has been narrowed or blocked. The opening in the skin over the windpipe is called a stoma. A small plastic tube called a trach tube is placed through the stoma to help the person breathe.
Watch this video to learn how to clean and sanitize a tracheostomy (trach) tube.
Benefits of cleaning a trach tube
If your child has a reusable trach tube, cleaning it regularly will help your child breathe easier and help prevent infection. Some types of trach tubes can only be used once and cannot be cleaned. Talk with your child’s respiratory therapist to make sure that your child’s trach tube is the type that can be cleaned.
When to clean a trach tube
If your child has a reusable trach tube, clean it as soon as possible after changing it. Clean it every time you change the trach tube. This is needed to remove mucus that can build up in the tube. Your child’s respiratory therapist will tell you how many times you can reuse each trach tube.
Supplies needed to clean the trach tube
- Trach tube
- Obturator (the obturator is the part of the device that helps guide the trach tube in the airway)
- Hot water
- 2 bowls (each large enough to cover trach parts in water)
- Syringe
- Lint-free swabs
- Trach cleaning brush, pipe cleaners
- Clean towel
- Container with a lid or a plastic bag that seals
Before cleaning the trach tube, clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
How to clean the trach tube
Soak and clean the trach tube and obturator
- Soak the trach tube and its obturator for 60 minutes in a bowl of warm water combined with several drops of mild soap.
- Make sure that the soapy water reaches all parts of the items you are cleaning. You may need to use a syringe to flush water through the tube.
- Remove any remaining mucus with the lint-free swab or the trach cleaning brush.
- You can clean a small trach tube by pulling a small portion of the lint-free swab or pipe cleaner through the tube.
Inspect and rinse the trach tube
- Inspect each item for any remaining mucus. If needed, repeat the soak and clean steps.
- Rinse the inside and outside with clean warm water. Use the syringe to flush the tube with water.
- Place the cleaned items on a towel to air dry.
Store the cleaned trach tube
- Once items are completely dry, place the trach tube and obturator in a clean container with a lid or seal them in a plastic bag.
- Store these items until it is time to sanitize them.
How to sanitize a trach tube
Sanitizing the trach tube is a separate process. You will sanitize the cleaned trach tube right before trach placement. This will help prevent infection.
Some types of trach tubes can only be used once and cannot be sanitized. Talk with your child’s respiratory therapist to make sure that your child’s trach tube is the type that can be sanitized.
Supplies needed to sanitize the trach tube
- Trach tube
- Obturator (the obturator is the part of the device that helps guide the trach tube in the airway)
- Pan with lid
- Water
- Stove or hot plate
Steps for sanitizing the trach tube
- Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Fill the pan half full with clean water.
- Bring the water to a rapid boil on the stove or hot plate.
- Remove the clean trach tube and obturator from their container and place them into the pan of boiling water.
- Cover the pan and remove it from the heat.
- Allow the water to cool to “hand hot” before removing the trach tube and obturator.
- Pick up the obturator by its handle and the trach tube by its neck collar.
- Place the obturator and trach tube on a sterile surface.
- Prepare the trach for placement.
If the sanitized tracheostomy tube is not placed within 2 hours, repeat this process.
Key points about cleaning and sanitizing a trach tube
- Cleaning the trach tube helps your child breathe easier and helps prevent infection.
- It is important to clean the trach tube after every trach tube change.
- Cleaning the trach tube involves soaking, cleaning, rinsing, and air drying.
- Sanitizing the trach tube is a separate process. Sanitize your child’s cleaned trach tube right before trach placement.
- Sanitizing the trach tube and obturator involves placing them into boiling water and removing the pan from the heat until the water has cooled enough to touch the trach tube and obturator.
- Call your child’s respiratory therapist if you have questions about cleaning and sanitizing the trach tube.
