ICUsteps

Peter · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Milton Keynes

Communicating with a patient who has a tracheostomy is difficult and frustrating and it's even worse for the patient themselves. Patients are often unable to write legibly due to swollen fingers and loss of fine muscle control. It can help to write or print out an alphabet sheet so they can communicate by pointing to the letters and numbers to spell out words. This is slow but it does at least provide a way for the patient and visitor to communicate.

You can also download and print the ICUsteps alphabet sheet

Phill · Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Coventry

I wish I had something like that when I was in. I am a messy writer at the best of times but while I was in ICU even I could not make sense of what I had written. I would put a text box to point at so that the user can shorten the message time. IE.
I want tea please 14 Points would be t plz 4 Points

I know it will not suit all but anything that helps is worth a try
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