Frequently Asked Questions

Are tracheostomy tubes available?

SuperCare Health has been experiencing low inventory and delays in getting silicone-based tracheostomy tubes in stock. Manufacturers are reporting a global shortage of silicone material for them to make trach tubes.

Who is affected?

All silicone-based tracheostomy tubes may be affected by the global shortage of silicone materials. SuperCare Health has been experiencing low inventory and delays in getting silicone-based tracheostomy tubes in stock.

Is this happening for adult trach tubes? Is this happening for pediatric trach tubes?

All silicone-based tracheostomy tubes may be affected by the global shortage of silicone materials. SuperCare Health has been experiencing low inventory and delays in getting silicone-based tracheostomy tubes in stock.

What can I do?

If you do not use a silicone-based trach tube, you are not affected by this shortage. If you use a silicone-based trach tube, you may experience delayed delivery until supplies become available. There are actions you can take to sterilize your existing supply of trach tubes to reuse what you have.

  • In general, trach tubes are “reprocessable,” which means you can clean and sanitize the tube when it is time to replace it so the tube can be used again.
  • Recommendations on cleaning and reuse are included in the packaging of every trach tube. Each model has its own individual directions. These recommendations are also available online https://supercarehealth.com/productupdates/trachcleaning
  • We will work with you and your physician if there are alternatives or substitutions that may be available.

Patients awaiting resupply from SuperCare Health:

We will continue to resupply existing patients with limited new supplies for as long as we have available inventory. Please conserve your supplies during this period by cleaning and disinfecting for reuse.

SuperCare Health is committed to supporting our patients to sustain the continuity of their care. Our goal is to consistently provide supplies to ensure patients have what they need for long-term success. We will always support the best treatment plan for our patients.

Patients newly set up with SuperCare Health:

If you were discharged from the hospital with an affected tube, your hospital care team may have already told you about the shortage and taught you home sanitization techniques.

SuperCare Health may not be able to provide resupply orders of affected tubes for you until manufacturers make them available to us. As a reminder, any specialty supply that is produced by a single manufacturer is more likely to experience shortage issues.

Be sure to consult your physician about this shortage and any changes or updates to your therapy.

When do you expect to receive more trach tubes?

We do not have a reliable estimate of when supplies may be available. All silicone-based tracheostomy tubes may be affected by the global shortage of silicone materials.