Resources

For Healthcare Providers

E-LEARNING MODULES

These free interactive e-learning modules with videos and knowledge quizzes have been designed for health professionals.

The time to complete all 4 of the following e-learning modules equates to 3 hours CPD. Please note that TRAMS is not a registered training organisation. Therefore certificates of completion are not provided.

Austin Health staff members only: please access the e-learning modules via ATLAS to enable a record of completion.

- Introduction to tracheostomy

- Routine tracheostomy care

- Decannulation

- Tracheostomy Emergency Management

VIDEOS

PMV in-line with ventilator

Ventilator Adjusted Leak Speech

Policy and Procedures

Clinical instruction sheets and posters

Tracheostomy sizing chart

Download The Tracheostomy Sizing Chart

Emergency tracheostomy management poster

Download The Emergency Tracheostomy Management Poster
Accompanying publication: Graham JM, Fisher CM, Cameron TS, Streader TG, Warrillow SJ, Chao C, Chong CK, Ellard L, Hamoline JL, McMurray KA, Phillips DJ. Emergency tracheostomy management cognitive aid. Anaesthesia and intensive care. 2021 Apr 22:0310057X21989722.

Research Posters

GTC webinar series featuring trams (watch the free recordings)

Austin health tracheostomy publications/collaborations

Zaga CJ, Chao C, Cameron T, Ross J, Rautela L, Rollinson TC, Marchingo E, Gregson PA, Warrillow S, Atkins NE, Howard ME. A Multidisciplinary Approach to Verbal Communication Interventions for Mechanically Ventilated Adults With a Tracheostomy. Respiratory Care. 2023 May 1;68(5):680-91. https://doi.org/10.4187/respcare.10511
Sweeney DJ, Chao C, Ridgers A, Knee Chong C, Goldblatt J, Seevanayagam S, Howard ME. Silver nitrate therapy for persistent tracheocutaneous fistula following prolonged tracheostomy and invasive ventilation: A case report. Respirology Case Reports. 2022 Nov;10(11):e01049. http://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.1049
Zaga CJ, Sweeney JM, Cameron TS, Campbell MC, Warrillow SJ, Howard ME. Factors associated with short versus prolonged tracheostomy length of cannulation and the relationship between length of cannulation and adverse events. Australian Critical Care. 2022 Sep 1;35(5):535-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2021.09.003
Zaga CJ, Berney S, Hepworth G, Cameron TS, Baker S, Giddings C, Howard ME, Bellomo R, Vogel AP. Tracheostomy clinical practices and patient outcomes in three tertiary metropolitan hospitals in Australia. Australian Critical Care. 2022 Apr 27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2022.03.002
Graham JM, Fisher CM, Cameron TS, Streader TG, Warrillow SJ, Chao C, Chong CK, Ellard L, Hamoline JL, McMurray KA, Phillips DJ. Emergency tracheostomy management cognitive aid. Anaesthesia and intensive care. 2021 Apr 22:0310057X21989722.
Ross, J. High Cervical Lesions. In: Reznik J, Simmons J, editors. Rehabilitation In Spinal Cord Injuries 1st edition. Elsevier Australia; 2021. p 348-371.
Zaga CJ, Pandian V, Brodsky MB, Wallace S, Cameron TS, Chao C, Orloff LA, Atkins NE, McGrath BA, Lazarus CL, Vogel AP. Speech-language pathology guidance for tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international multidisciplinary perspective. American journal of speech-language pathology. 2020 Aug 4;29(3):1320-34.
McGrath BA, Wallace S, Lynch J, Bonvento B, Coe B, Owen A, Firn M, Brenner MJ, Edwards E, Finch TL, Cameron T. Improving tracheostomy care in the United Kingdom: results of a guided quality improvement programme in 20 diverse hospitals. British journal of anaesthesia. 2020 Jul 1;125(1):e119-29.
Brenner MJ, Pandian V, Graham DA, Milliren CE, Zaga C, Morris LL, Bedwell JR, Das P, Zhu H, Allen JL, Peltz A. Global Tracheostomy Collaborative: data-driven improvements in patient safety through multidisciplinary teamwork, standardisation, education, and patient partnership. British journal of anaesthesia. 2020 May 23.
McGrath BA, Brenner MJ, Warrillow SJ, Pandian V, Arora A, Cameron TS, Añon JM, Martínez GH, Truog RD, Block SD, Lui GC. Tracheostomy in the COVID-19 era: global and multidisciplinary guidance. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2020 May 15.
Moorthy R. New Forward: Building the future; how implementation science is revolutionising tracheostomy care Proceedings from the 4th and 5th International Tracheostomy Symposiums.The Otorhinolaryngologist; VOLUME 13 ISSUE 1 2020
Zaga C, Ross J, Chong CK, Chao C, Atkins N, Campbell M, Sweeney J, Howard M, Cameron T. A multi- faceted tracheostomy decannulation pathway facilitates successful decannulation. Australian Critical Care. 2020 Jan 1;33:S44.
Ross J, McMurray K, Cameron T, Lanteri C. Use of a Silicon Stoma Stent as an Interim Step in High- Risk Tracheostomy Decannulation. OTO open. 2019 Mar;3(1):2473974X19836432.
Bedwell JR, Pandian V, Roberson DW, McGrath BA, Cameron TS, Brenner MJ. Multidisciplinary tracheostomy care: how collaboratives drive quality improvement. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2018 Oct 5;52(1):135-47.
Cameron TS, McKinstry A, Burt SK, Howard ME, Bellomo R, Brown DJ, Ross JM, Sweeney JM, O’Donaghue FJ Outcomes of patients with spinal cord injury before and after introduction of an interdisciplinary tracheostomy team. Critical Care and Resuscitation. 2009 Mar;11(1):14.

Discharge to Community – TRAMS Education Program

Prior to leaving hospital, a person with a tracheostomy and their carers must be adequately equipped with the appropriate knowledge, skills, equipment and care plan to ensure they can be safely cared for in the community.

The TRAMS community tracheostomy discharge and training program consists of a comprehensive two week education and training program prior to discharge. The program is completed by the patient and a core group of carers prior to discharge until the patient is adequately prepared for discharge.

E-Learning (target audience patients and carers)

2 free interactive e-learning packages with videos have been designed for patients and their carers to learn more about living with a long-term tracheostomy. These are also accessible on the “For Patients” page.

Living in the Community with a Long-term Tracheostomy

Routine Tracheostomy Care

For Healthcare Providers

Instructional Videos and e-Learning Series

Tracheostomy Policies and Procedures

Clinical Instruction Sheets and Posters

Austin Health Tracheostomy Publications

For Patients

Austin Health Patient Blogs and Media

Other useful resources

For Patients

AUSTIN HEALTH PATIENT BLOGS AND MEDIA

Stand on the Shoulder of Giants: An inspirational blog by Gerard Stevenson outlining his story after sustaining a spinal cord injury
Mad Grit: Thriving with a tracheostomy: The story of Daisy’s brave journey. You can follow Daisy’s blog, Mad Grit
The 5th International Tracheostomy Symposium: Read about patient stories that were shared at the 5th ITS
Josh’s story: Read about Josh regaining his voice and connecting with his family during the COVID-19 pandemic and watch the
Channels 9 news story
GTC newsletter June 2020: “Andrew Follows – In Memorium” (page 3)
GTC Newsletter January 2019: Featuring Sally and Jenny Messer, Gabby Chessels and the TRAMS team Consumer Engagement Award