[momof9wantingmore]

The county has asked me to accept placement of an infant born with a severe cleft palate, they are considering a tracheotomy.
Have any of you who foster medically fragile had a placement like this, if so I could use some advice and support. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, but I am a nurse(not much experience with trachs though) Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

[mommy2fiveplus]

It is a little difficult at first, but they should not discharge the baby until he is stable and they have done extensive teaching with you or whoever the primary caregiver will be. With cleft palates the trachs are usually temporary and stay in until 6 mos after the last cleft revision (depends on the complication of cleft, some are more minor than others depending on how involved the soft and hard palate are).

Trach care with an infant or small child usually involves daily dressing changes, cannula changes (depends on type of trach) and sometimes suctioning depending on the amount of secretions the child produces and more frequently with infants because they can not expectorate on thier own.

[kydz_7]

I've seen you have been waiting & hoping for medically fragile placement...which I think is great because there is such a lack of homes for these special ones. If medically fragile is what you want then I say go for it...medically fragile are your worst of the worst med. conditions...there is never such a thing as an "easy" medically fragile infant but know that there is alot of support from the hospital he will be discharged from and in most cases, there will not discharge until YOU are comfortable with cares. AND USE HOME NURSING...they can come check on him a few times a week, teach you more and they make a great contact person for you to lean on with questions....and foster children ALL have state medical coverage which pays for that. I know as I have a med. fragile infant since birth(now 15 mths old)...oxygen & tube feed and very self-rewarding. Good luck and keep us updated!!

[momof9wantingmore]

thanks for the info and support, I did accept the placement and I feel comfortable about it, the baby is not quite ready to be discharged yet and before she is the hospital is going to make sure I have all information and training so that I am comfortable with caring for her. I will keep you posted.

thanks

[kalebsnena]

My wife and I had no medical training before our grandson had his stroke at age 3. He had HLHS @ 3 years old, which left him as an infant for 7 years before he passed 12-05-05. After months in the hospital we brought him home comatose, on a vent, brain storming, g-tube, ton of med's with a schedule and a trach tube that needed to be kept clean. with only a few therapist and supply company's and no home nurse an 2 weeks of training @ the hospital. But we made it (not that it was easy). With your nursing experience you should have no problem. Just keep it clean with 50/50 peroxide an water, and soak tube in 50/50 water an vinegar.
Keith & Pam
Papa an Nena to 5 grandkids + 1 "i" an still waiting for license. Home......

[mrsjoisley]

Hello! My husband and I adopted a little girl with a trach, (we are both respitatory therapists) and we were still nervous. Not to worry though, it is pretty easy once you get the hang of things. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about it. You can also check out my blog at paradeoftheisleys.blogspot.com

Jo