Practices in Nursing Care for Patients with Tracheostomy : A Literature Review

Abstract

Tracheostomy is the oldest surgical procedure that has developed over centuries. Tracheostomy has been performed increasingly in hospital settings, especially in intensive care settings, as an effective airway management. It is necessary to have a multidisciplinary healthcare team, particularly with the best-qualified nurses, to ensure best practices in tracheostomy care. The purpose of this study is to review existing literature on nursing care for tracheostomy patients and identify best practices for safe and effective care. This study aims to derive insights regarding current nursing practices and understanding of the evidence-based nursing interventions that improve tracheostomy care and patient outcomes.

Data was collected for this descriptive review through PubMed, CINAHL, and Science Direct databases. The search terms were narrowed by using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subsequently, a total of 9 studies were selected as the final selection with the benefit of Prisma flow chart. Data was analyzed using the deductive content analysis method to answer two different questions: 1) What nursing practices do nurses use for safe and effective tracheostomy care? and 2). What nursing practices do nurses use to prevent complications in tracheostomy care?

The results of this descriptive review demonstrated the importance of best nursing practices in tracheostomy care, particularly suctioning techniques, airway patency, stoma care, emergency preparedness, and managing complications. Accordingly, the study emphasized the need for ongoing education, updated knowledge and skills, standardized protocols and guidelines, and interdisciplinary collaboration with effective communication to ensure high-quality care for tracheostomy patients.

This study was conducted as a bachelor’s degree thesis project at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, and findings highlighted the need for standardized nursing practices to ensure safe and effective care for the patient with tracheostomy. This is important for patient and nurse satisfaction. As a result, this will reduce hospital readmissions, and it will decrease healthcare costs in any country of the world.