Hi,
I know many of you are aware of my husbands history of struggles with frequent pnuemonias.
I wanted to let you guys know that in the past year and a half.he has only had one since changing from the Shiley to the Portex.
He also over the year and a half has had the docs change orders for trache changes every 3-6 months.instead of monthly.So I don't know for sure which of the two has been responsible for helping with the problem.
I just wanted to post this and let others know that the Portex enables us to suction above the cuff as well as from the lungs.there is a seperate built in additional line..that allows us to get secretions sitting on the cuff.and minimizes aspiration of saliva.We still use the ballard and french cath to suction what is already in the lungs.( so that part is the same as the Shiley)
But,I wanted to share this info with you guys.as if any of you experience frequent battles in the future with pnuemonias.this may be something to talk to your own docs about as being a possible option to try to help reduce them.
Lisa

I've entered this site because we have been unable to get a Portex Trache for the past few months from our health care company. They say they are on back order. Is anyone else having problems getting a trache? My son needs a change!
Interesting hearing that a doc said one could go 3-6 mos before a change. We do it monthly and feel it is really needed by then. Thanks for any info -

Hi nice to meet you,
Gary has his trache changed sp infrequently due to frequent pneumonias within 24 - 48 after tracjh changes.
They do not alays occur but have more often than not. So the docs decided to change it eve y 3-5 months to reduce the risks of infection.
He just got a Portex trache yesterday at the the hospital.
But as his are changed so infrequently they could have been on back order without us knowing. at some point. Lisa