SLS 17RS-1401 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 97
BY SENATOR BARROW
SENATE. Designates May 14 through 20, 2017, as Tracheostomy Tube Awareness Week
in Louisiana.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To designate May 14 through 20, 2017, as "Tracheostomy Tube Awareness Week" in the
3 state of Louisiana.
4 WHEREAS, Tracheostomy Tube Awareness Week was established to bring
5 awareness to everyone living with tracheostomy tubes; and
6 WHEREAS, the purpose is to destigmatize children, youth, and adults living with
7 and thriving via tracheostomy tube usage as medical life support; and
8 WHEREAS, tracheostomies are surgically created holes that pass from the front of
9 the neck into the trachea and are created to allow patent airway access and adequate
10 breathing; and
11 WHEREAS, they may be temporary in the case of airway emergencies or may be
12 used for long-term access to airway and breathing depending on a patient's condition or
13 overall health; and
14 WHEREAS, several hundred patients die annually of tracheostomy-related events
15 in the United States; and
16 WHEREAS, most deaths occur at home and are potentially preventable with better
17 patient and family education, coordinated care, and support; and
18 WHEREAS, because tracheostomies require care from multiple specialties, patients
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 97
SLS 17RS-1401 ORIGINAL
1 often experience disorganized, fragmented, and needlessly expensive care; and
2 WHEREAS, Trach Mommas of Louisiana was organized to provide peer support,
3 resources, education, training, information, and advocacy to parents and caregivers and
4 individuals with a tracheostomy; and
5 WHEREAS, they serve children and adults with tracheostomies and their caregivers
6 throughout Louisiana with emotional and practical support and give them a voice in the
7 community; and
8 WHEREAS, a tracheostomy gives an individual the ability to breathe and a chance
9 at living life with the freedoms afforded to all citizens; and
10 WHEREAS, the technology of a tracheostomy gives babies who are born premature
11 the opportunity to have a stronger airway and lungs; and
12 WHEREAS, a child or individual with a tracheostomy, along with his family, needs
13 extra love, positive attention, and support from the community and to not be avoided,
14 segregated, or feared; and
15 WHEREAS, awareness efforts are designed to educate the community about the
16 impact of having a tracheostomy and to encourage positive community support.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
18 does hereby designate May 14 through 20, 2017, as "Tracheostomy Tube Awareness Week"
19 in the state of Louisiana.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Nancy Vicknair.
DIGEST
SR 97 Original 2017 Regular Session Barrow
Designates May 14 through 20, 2017, as Tracheostomy Tube Awareness Week in La.
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