Tracheostomy HMEs and HMEFs: TrachPhone HME
Description of the Device
The TrachPhone HME is a multifunctional device with a 15 mm ISO connector, intended for spontaneously breathing patients breathing through a tracheostoma.
It incorporates a full-time HME, a manually operated speaking valve, a suction port to facilitate respiratory secretion management and an O2-port. In the case of coughing or blockage, the suction port acts as a relief valve. It is a lightweight device that attaches directly to the end of a tracheostomy tube.
Evidence on Trachphone
Overall, evidence on TrachPhone comes from two studies on the actual device, and four studies on a similar device1. One of the two investigations involving TrachPhone was performed in a laboratory setting (52). The other was a quality improvement project showing preference for TrachPhone by nurses as well as cost saving over Conventional External Humidification Systems (CEHS)(40).
Four other studies have been conducted using a similar device (17, 39, 53, 54). The four studies on similar devices have been included in this section as they show relevant results obtained when evaluating a device with similar design to TrachPhone. In vitro studies have shown that the performance of TrachPhone and the device with similar design is significantly and inversely affected by the addition of an O2 flow. In vivo results show that the use of HME on spontaneously breathing tracheostomised patients decreases thickness and improves colouring of secretions and has no impact on respiratory mechanics and breathing patterns. In the next few paragraphs, each study is described in more detail.
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