This episode is a conversation with the tracheostomy and ventilator team of Children’s Wisconsin. The multidisciplinary team is composed of an otolaryngologist, pulmonologist, nurse practitioner, speech language pathologist, social worker, dietitian, and respiratory therapists. In this conversation we discuss the origin and structure of the team, and their successes in improving inpatient and outpatient tracheostomy care. The team has been successful in improving parent trach teaching through use of simulation, as well as in early speaking valve assessment and use. 

Participants:

Michael McCormick – Pediatric Otolaryngology

Cecilia Lang – NP Team Manager

Jennifer Henningfeld – Pediatric Pulmonologist Medical Director

Grace Flanagan – Respiratory Therapist

Lisa Molkentine – Respiratory Therapist

Christine Bueckers – Speech Language Pathologist