Cough assist training supports nurses, carers, support workers and other healthcare professionals to safely use mechanical insufflation–exsufflation devices to help individuals clear respiratory secretions. This highly practical training develops understanding of how cough assist works, safe device settings, recognising respiratory deterioration and supporting individuals in community and complex care environments.

Sessions can be delivered as stand-alone cough assist training or as part of a wider complex respiratory skills workshop.

Duration: 2 Hours
Format: Face to Face Practical Training

Cough Assist Training

PRACTICAL COUGH ASSIST TRAINING

Learner delivering facial cough assist to child sim manikin

What This Cough Assist Training Covers

What is a cough?
Causes for coughing
Importance of coughing
Active cycle of breathing
What is cough assist?
Why does a client need cough assist?
Cough assist lung recruitment
Complications and considerations
Cough assist machines (Nippy Clearway & Philips E70)
Programmes on the cough assist
Maintenance and safety checks
Practical: Performing cough assist safely

Leaner delivering cough assist to sim manikin face whilst another learner is smiling

Who This Training Is Suitable For

• Support workers and carers working within complex care packages

• Registered nurses working in community or home care settings

• School-based or community care teams supporting individuals with respiratory conditions

• Healthcare assistants supporting individuals with respiratory needs

• Case management teams arranging client-specific training

• Care providers supporting individuals with a cough assist machine

• Directly employed care teams requiring new or refresher training

• Families supporting relatives who require cough assist therapy

Training is delivered to organisations and care teams supporting individuals with cough assist machines in community, home care and complex care settings across Yorkshire and the UK.

Understanding Cough Assist in Complex Care

Cough assist devices, also known as mechanical insufflation–exsufflation devices, help individuals who are unable to generate an effective cough clear respiratory secretions.

The device delivers a positive pressure breath followed by rapid negative pressure, helping to simulate a natural cough and move secretions from the lungs into the upper airway where they can be cleared safely.

Cough assist therapy is commonly used for individuals with neuromuscular conditions, respiratory muscle weakness, spinal cord injury or other conditions that affect the ability to cough effectively.

Understanding how cough assist works, when it is used, and how to recognise changes in respiratory condition is an important part of safely supporting individuals with complex respiratory needs in community and home care settings.

Training such as tracheostomy care training or suctioning training may be applicable when teams are supporting individuals with cough assist. The Respiratory Skills Training Workshops encompass all associated cares with cough assist to give learners a comprehensive understanding of this complex care skill.

A cough assist machine is a medical device that helps individuals clear airway secretions by delivering positive pressure followed by rapid negative pressure, simulating a cough.
Cough assist is often used for individuals with neuromuscular conditions, respiratory muscle weakness, spinal cord injury or other conditions that reduce their ability to cough effectively.
Yes. Training can be tailored to the care needs and clinical considerations of the individual client. This helps ensure the training is relevant to the care team and reflects the environment in which care is delivered.
Relevant care plans may be requested ahead of the session to support preparation where appropriate.
Yes. Training focuses on practical understanding of the equipment, device settings and safe use in real care environments.
Training can be delivered:
• At the care provider’s premises
• Within community settings
• At a suitable venue organised by the provider
Delivery options can be discussed depending on the needs of the organisation and care package.
Yes. Learners attending training receive a certificate of attendance. If the learner attended the Respiratory Skills Training Workshop, an accredited CPD certified certificate is awarded.