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Essential principles: tracheostomy care in the adult patient
Author(s) -
Dawson Deborah
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
nursing in critical care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.689
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1478-5153
pISSN - 1362-1017
DOI - 10.1111/nicc.12076
Subject(s) - cinahl , tracheotomy , tracheostomy tube , medicine , nursing care , medline , nursing , intensive care medicine , critical care nursing , medical emergency , health care , surgery , psychological intervention , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Aim This article aims to guide the nurse caring for a tracheostomy patient, following the main principles of nursing care. Background Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure to create an opening in the anterior wall of the trachea. Owing to improvement in technological support, the number of adult patients receiving a tracheostomy has increased. This requires the critical care nurse to have an understanding of the essential principles of care for a patient with a tracheostomy tube in situ . Design and method Literature search was conducted in Medline and Cinahl using the search terms tracheostomy OR tracheotomy AND procedure/nursing care/experience limited to English language and adult. Owing to the lack of empirical research on the care of patients with tracheostomy, evidence is limited and therefore expert consensus is utilized in much of the article. Results This article considers the indications for a tracheostomy, identifies the component parts of a tracheostomy tube, discusses 12 essential principles of care for a patient with a tracheostomy tube in situ , and finally briefly describes the nurse's role in an emergency and when discharging a patient with a tracheostomy tube to a ward. Conclusion Performing a tracheostomy has an enormous impact on patients and their care. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses caring for patients with tracheostomy require an appreciation of the breadth of knowledge needed to provide individual and safe care. It is also important to appreciate the lack of empirical evidence on which to base that care.