Respiratory and Trach Care Supplies for Skilled Nursing, DME, and Home Care Providers
Geriatric Medical supplies respiratory and tracheostomy care products in wholesale volumes to skilled nursing facilities, long-term care and ventilator units, DME/HME providers, and home care agencies nationwide. Our catalog covers oxygen delivery, tracheostomy tubes and trach care, suction, aerosol therapy, CPAP supplies, ventilator circuits, pulse oximetry, and emergency airway equipment, so your nursing and respiratory therapy teams can source respiratory supplies from one distributor.
Whether you're supporting residents on oxygen, managing a trach and vent population, or supplying respiratory equipment and replacement supplies to patients at home, our team can help you match products and compatible parts to your equipment and order volume.
Respiratory and Trach Care Questions from Providers
What respiratory and trach care supplies does Geriatric Medical carry?
We carry the full range of respiratory care categories. For oxygen therapy: oxygen concentrators, cylinders, regulators, and accessories, disposable oxygen products, and oxygen masks. For tracheostomy care: trach tubes and accessories, trach replacement parts, trach care and cleaning supplies, trach masks and covers, and trach humidification. For suction: suction pumps, accessories, and pleural drainage and suction catheters. For aerosol and airway clearance: compressors and nebulizers, spacer devices and MDI supplies, mucus therapy devices, and humidifiers and vaporizers. We also carry CPAP supplies and accessories, ventilator circuits, pulse oximeters, peak flow meters and spirometers, CPR, airway, and resuscitation supplies, respiratory replacement parts, and air cleaners.
What's the difference between a nasal cannula and an oxygen mask?
A nasal cannula delivers oxygen through two small prongs in the nose and is used for low-flow oxygen, which covers most residents and patients on long-term oxygen therapy. It's comfortable for extended wear and allows the person to talk and eat. Oxygen masks cover the nose and mouth and are used when higher concentrations of oxygen are needed, with simple masks, venturi masks, and non-rebreather masks each delivering different oxygen levels. The delivery device and flow rate are set by the prescriber's order. Cannulas, tubing, and masks should be replaced when soiled or damaged and on the schedule set by your facility's policy.
What's the difference between an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen cylinder?
An oxygen concentrator plugs into power, draws in room air, and filters it to deliver concentrated oxygen, so it doesn't need to be refilled. Stationary concentrators are used at the bedside, and portable concentrators run on batteries. Oxygen cylinders hold compressed oxygen and are used for portability, transport, and backup during power outages. Cylinders require a regulator, and the regulator must match the cylinder's valve type, such as the pin-indexed post valve used on many smaller medical oxygen cylinders.
What oxygen safety precautions should facilities and home care patients follow?
Oxygen isn't flammable on its own, but it makes fires start more easily and burn faster. There should be no smoking, open flames, or sparks near oxygen equipment, and petroleum-based products shouldn't be used on the face of a person using oxygen. Cylinders should be stored upright and secured in a stand or rack so they can't tip over, and stored away from heat sources. Follow your facility's oxygen storage policy and applicable fire code requirements for the number and location of stored cylinders.
Should residents use a nebulizer or an inhaler with a spacer?
Both deliver inhaled medication to the lungs. Nebulizers turn liquid medication into a mist that's inhaled through a mouthpiece or mask over several minutes, which works well for residents who have trouble coordinating their breathing. Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) deliver medication in a quick spray, and using a spacer or valved holding chamber with an MDI helps more of the medication reach the lungs and reduces the need to coordinate pressing and inhaling. Spacers with masks are available for residents who can't seal their lips around a mouthpiece. The delivery method depends on the medication and the prescriber's order.
What supplies are needed for routine tracheostomy care?
Routine trach care typically uses trach care kits, disposable or reusable inner cannulas, trach ties or tube holders, pre-cut split gauze or foam trach dressings, cleaning brushes and pipe cleaners, and sterile saline or water. Inner cannulas, ties, and dressings must match the patient's trach tube brand and size. Trach care should be performed by trained staff following the facility's protocol and the patient's care plan.
What emergency trach supplies should be kept at the bedside?
Patients with a tracheostomy should have emergency supplies at the bedside in case the tube becomes dislodged or blocked. These commonly include a spare trach tube of the same brand and size, a spare tube one size smaller, the obturator, a manual resuscitation bag, and working suction equipment with catheters. Follow your facility's policy for the required emergency supplies and check them every shift.
Why do trach patients need humidification?
A tracheostomy bypasses the nose and upper airway, which normally warm and moisten the air we breathe. Without added humidity, secretions can become thick and harder to clear, which increases the risk of mucus plugs. Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs), sometimes called artificial noses, capture the patient's own warmth and moisture, while trach masks connected to a humidification system deliver humidified air or oxygen. The humidification method is set by the patient's care plan.
What's the difference between open and closed suction catheters?
Open suction catheters are single-use catheters inserted into the airway after disconnecting the patient from oxygen or the ventilator. Closed suction catheters, also called inline catheters, stay attached to the ventilator circuit or trach, so the patient doesn't need to be disconnected, which helps maintain oxygenation. Suction catheters are sized in French (Fr), and the size is chosen based on the trach tube size. Yankauer suction tips are used for oral suctioning. Suction pumps, canisters, and tubing should be compatible with each other and with your suction setup.
How often should CPAP masks and supplies be replaced?
CPAP supplies wear out with regular use, and worn cushions or masks can leak and make therapy less effective. Mask cushions and pillows, filters, and water chambers are typically replaced more often than full masks, tubing, and headgear. Follow the manufacturer's replacement schedule for each component. CPAP masks come in full face, nasal, and nasal pillow styles, and replacement parts should match the patient's mask model and CPAP machine.
Do ventilator circuits work with any ventilator?
No. Ventilator circuits must be compatible with the ventilator model and the patient's therapy settings. Circuits vary in configuration, such as single-limb or dual-limb, and in features, such as heated-wire circuits for use with heated humidification. Confirm compatibility with your ventilators and your respiratory therapist before ordering, and follow the manufacturer's guidance and your facility's policy for circuit changes.
What can affect pulse oximeter accuracy?
Pulse oximeter readings can be affected by cold hands, poor circulation, movement, nail polish or artificial nails, and bright ambient light. The FDA has also noted that pulse oximeters may be less accurate for people with darker skin pigmentation. Readings should be interpreted along with the resident's symptoms and other assessments, and facilities often keep both fingertip oximeters for spot checks and handheld units with probes for residents who need more frequent monitoring.
What CPR and airway supplies should be on an emergency cart?
Emergency carts commonly include manual resuscitation bags, sometimes called bag-valve masks, in adult sizes, CPR masks with one-way valves, oral airways in multiple sizes, and suction equipment. Resuscitation bags should be stored ready for use with the correct mask attached, and supplies should be checked on the schedule set by your facility's emergency policy. Contents should match your facility's policy and staff training.
What are incentive spirometers and mucus clearance devices used for?
Incentive spirometers encourage slow, deep breaths to help keep the lungs expanded, and they're commonly used after surgery or during recovery from respiratory illness to help prevent pneumonia. Mucus clearance devices, such as oscillating positive expiratory pressure devices, help loosen and move secretions so they're easier to cough up. Peak flow meters measure how fast a person can exhale and help track airway function for patients with asthma or COPD. Use of these devices follows the patient's care plan.
Can we order respiratory and trach care supplies through EDI or a punchout catalog?
Yes. Geriatric Medical supports EDI ordering and punchout catalog integration for accounts that manage purchasing through their own procurement, EHR, or ERP systems, so respiratory and trach care supplies can be ordered the same way as the rest of your catalog without manual re-entry.