| Infection may also occur around the site of the tracheostomy from unclean hands when suctioning or by damaging the trach tube. When a patient touches their tracheostomy tube with dirty hands they are liable to get an infection. Hand washing and maintaining a sterile field before tracheostomy care is critical.
Infection can often be characterized by secretions or mucous of yellow or green color, bleeding and a strong or foul odor. Increased amounts of mucous or mucous of thick consistency are also possible signs of infection. Finally, there may be fever associated with infection, or congestion in the lungs and irritation or red and friable skin around the stoma. (15)
Healthcare providers must always be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of sepsis. Sepsis affects over 750,000 people per year within the United States with 28-50% resulting in death. If treated early, we can help decrease these statistics. Common symptoms of sepsis include fever, tachycardia, tachypnea and altered mental status. (32)
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