Sub-Acute Care Services

two nurses talking to each other in the hallway. Both wearing scrubs

Sub-Acute Care Services: Advanced Tracheostomy Care

Transitioning from an intensive care unit to the next phase of recovery can feel overwhelming for families. Our specialized sub-acute respiratory team provides 24/7 advanced tracheostomy care, focusing not just on clinical safety, but on restoring comfort, communication, and independence.

Core Clinical Capabilities

Our dedicated sub-acute wing is fully equipped to handle complex respiratory needs, providing families and hospital discharge planners with peace of mind:

  • 24/7 Licensed Nursing Support: Continuous monitoring and management of the tracheostomy site to maintain skin integrity and prevent infection.
  • On-Site Respiratory Therapists (RTs): Dedicated respiratory experts available around the clock to manage adjustments, routing changes, and immediate respiratory needs.
  • Secretions Management & Clean Airway Maintenance: Frequent, gentle suctioning and specialized humidification therapy to keep the airway clear, comfortable, and protected.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Every bedside is fully equipped with backup tracheostomy tubes (same size and one size smaller), emergency obturators, and dedicated suction setups. 

The Path to Recovery: Decannulation & Weaning

Whenever clinically possible, our ultimate goal is to safely guide patients toward using their natural airway again through a structured, interdisciplinary approach:

  • Comprehensive Assessment: Our team regularly evaluated respiratory strength, lung compliance, and cough reflex.
  • Downsizing: Gradually transitioning the patient to a smaller tracheostomy tube size to allow more natural air to pass around the tube.
  • Capping & Passy Muir Valve (PMV) Trials: Utilizing specialized speaking valves to redirect airflow upwards past the vocal cords, preparing the lungs for normal breathing.
  • Decannulation: The safe removal of the tracheostomy tube once the patient can comfortably sustain independent breathing.

 

Interdisciplinary Care & Quality of Life

A successful recovery requires a collaborative team. Our specialists work together to treat the whole person, not just the device.

 

Discipline Focus Area Patient Benefit
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Communication & Swallowing Reintroducing speaking valves so patients can talk to family; performing safe swallowing evaluations to transition back to real food.
Physical & Occupational Therapy Mobility & Strength Building Building core strength and endurance so patients can sit up, transfer comfortably, and conserve energy while breathing.
Nutritional Services Specialized Dietary Support Managing precise nutritional needs, whether through optimized oran diets or specialized tube feedings, to fuel lung recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my loved on talk with a tracheostomy?

Yes. While a standard trach directs air below the vocal cords, our Speech Therapists work closely with patients using speaking valves (like the Passy Muir Valve) to safely redirect air upward, allowing them to speak and communicate.

Can they eat real food?

Safety is our primary concern. Our speech and nutritional teams perform detailed swallowing assessments. Once a patient can safely swallow without risk of aspiration, we create a customized plan to reintroduce oral foods.

How do you prevent infections?

Our clinical team follows strict, sterile protocols for trach site care, inner cannula cleaning, and frequent suctioning. We closely monitor vital signs and site condition 24/7 to catch and prevent any complications early.