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DDS working to revise policy so people with tracheostomies can live in community settings
Summary
The regional director said DDS is revising policy on artificial airways and deep suction to enable more community-based care for people with tracheostomies. Members praised the work and said a deputy commissioner and staff have been instrumental in pushing the revisions.
Members raised concern about medically complex residents — particularly people with tracheostomies — who currently remain in hospitals or nursing homes because community providers are reluctant to take them. Speaker 4 recounted instances where hospital care was poor and urged expanded community options.
Shannon said DDS is doing policy work on artificial airways and deep suction so that licensed practical nurses and trained staff can perform certain therapies in community settings. "We're revising the policy now. So it's gonna be a little bit easier for individuals with a trach to live in the community," Shannon said, and credited deputy commissioner Elisa Velarde for advancing the effort.
Members said they have observed limited community capacity for people with trachs and that the number of children with trachs entering the system will increase as they age into DDS services. No formal policy was adopted at the meeting; staff said the policy work is underway and will be shared as revisions are completed.
