What does high-quality airway management care look like?

Airway management care is about more than ticking off a list of clinical tasks. It is a vital lifeline that offers people safety and dignity in the familiarity of their own home. By combining experienced clinical practice, quick observation skills, and deep empathy, the right airway management care inspires people to live as independently as possible.

What is airway management and who may need it?

Airway management refers to the support a person may need to maintain a clear airway, breathe effectively, and manage respiratory secretions.

Some of the types of airway management care include:

• Cough-assist support
• Humidification and secretion management
• Nebulisers
• Non-invasive ventilation, such as BiPAP or CPAP
• Suctioning
• Tracheostomy care
• Oxygen therapy (where prescribed)

People may require airway or respiratory support because of conditions such as:

• Chronic or severe respiratory conditions
• Congenital conditions affecting breathing or airway function
• Conditions requiring a tracheostomy or assisted ventilation
• Motor neurone disease
• Spinal muscular atrophy and other neuromuscular conditions
• Spinal cord injury or acquired brain injury

High-quality airway management is centred on maintaining effective breathing, supporting the person to clear secretions, and recognising changes promptly. Where somebody has a tracheostomy, this also includes keeping the tube and stoma safe, monitoring for signs of blockage or infection, and ensuring the correct emergency equipment is readily available. Care must always follow the individual’s clinical plan and prescribed protocols. Whatever type of airway management is required, the best quality care includes a period of adaptation and specialist support.

Why have airway management care at home?

Having specialist, tailored airway management care at home may reduce the need for hospital trips or prolonged stays in hospital. Staying in a home setting allows individuals to enjoy all the comfort of a peaceful environment and familiar routines. It also creates more opportunities for families to visit compared to a hospital setting. This can be particularly beneficial to children with airway management needs as it gives them a feeling of stability, for example regularly seeing the same carers. It can also help children experience more of everyday family life outside a hospital environment.

Bespoke care plans

At Airmid, no two care plans are ever the same. We pride ourselves on tailoring our care packages to each individual based on their needs and preferences. We conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards and proactively intervene before they develop into problems. Our clear escalation process makes it easy for our team to raise concerns as early as possible. We also work with other healthcare professionals involved with an individual’s care such as community nurses and respiratory teams, as well as the individual’s family. This unified approach, plus the adoption of technology, supports consistently high standards.

High clinical standards

Staff supporting an individual with airway management needs must receive person-specific training and be assessed as competent before delivering care independently. They must understand:

• The person’s usual presentation
• Prescribed equipment and settings
• Signs of deterioration
• Infection-prevention requirements
• Emergency procedures.

Equipment checks, clear documentation, and prompt escalation are integral to safe care and providing reassurance and peace of mind for loved ones.

Compassion and clinical care

Having the right airway management care may reduce the need for hospital trips or prolonged stays in hospital. Care at home can provide all the benefits of tailored, high-quality clinical care along with the benefits of the comfort of a home setting. At Airmid, we understand the best care is about understanding the individual – seeing them as a person, not just as their condition. This way, subtle changes in their health or mood can be spotted and responded to promptly, giving that individual the best quality of life, living independently and comfortably.

About the Author

Louise Paul, Airmid Staffing’s Registered Manager, has over 10 years’ experience in home care and has experience of managing CQC ‘Good’ rated providers whilst striving toward an ‘Outstanding’ rating.

info@airmidstaffing.co.uk
02034346040