Trouble keeping humidification on at night

[Heather Trotter]

I have found that when I put morgan on the humidification at night it never stays on her neck. I have tried cutting the collar shorter so it is closer to her trach but, ever morning it is wrapped around her and isn't even close to being on her trach. The doctor's say not to use a humidivent while they sleep and I haven't but, to me what is the difference. The collor never stays on her trach either. Anyone have any idea's on how to keep it on the trach or any comments on the situation. http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[cbissell]

I found that the stiffness of the aerosol tubing tends to push the mask off. We added a very flexible rubber extension from the aerosol tubing to the trach mask. This helped a lot. I believe they use the rubber tubing on ventilators, so if you know a respiratory therapist or ICU nurse, someone like that can get it for you. Not sure if this is something the medical supply vender can get, but maybe. We had a home care nurse who also worked in the NICU. She got us a couple of short pieces (maybe 6 inch or so) and we washed them and reused them. They lasted for years.

[cariaad]

We are very lucky that Alli doesn't need a lot of humidification. We were very upset by the trach mask method-her clothes ended up wet in back and no humidity on her trach directly and also we had to "unwrap" her from the hosing several times a night as she is a very active sleeper. Now we use an HME and room humidiifier. We only use the compressor set when she needs O2 (like after a surgery or hospital stay). You might try this if the humidity needs are not high. Deb

[Kim Sean's Mom]

Sean has the same problem with the rolling around at night, and the mask ending up in the back. My supply company sent us an adult mask by mistake once. I ended up needing an extra mask while he was sick and tried it. I found that even if the mask turns he is still getting mist due to the size of the mask. The mask still ends up in back every once in a while, but not nearly as often. I think I'll try the trach tie idea also. Kim