Effectiveness of a Need-based Interventional Tracheostomy Care Protocol on Knowledge and Practice of Tracheostomy Care among Nurses

Aim and background: Tracheostomy is a commonly conducted surgical intervention in intensive care settings, and many complications result from tracheostomy. The use of an evidence-based methodology for tracheostomy care can effectively mitigate the occurrence of complications. This study aimed to assess tracheostomy complications among patients, determine nurses' knowledge and practice of tracheostomy care, and evaluate the effectiveness of a tracheostomy care protocol (TCP) in terms of improving knowledge and practice of tracheostomy care and reducing complications among patients. Materials and methods: To conduct this study, a quasi-experimental research design was selected. Ninety-eight intensive care nurses were divided into two groups, with 49 nurses in each group. The experimental group received an intervention, and both groups underwent pre- and posttests using tools related to tracheostomy care knowledge and practice checklists. Complications among patients were observed using a tracheostomy complication checklist. Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: This study identified complications, including bleeding, tube obstruction, hypoxia, and local wound site infection, among tracheostomy patients. About 49% of the nurses in the experimental group and 34.7% in the control group had poor knowledge. There was a statistically significant difference in pre- and postintervention knowledge and practice scores between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed a gap in participants' knowledge and practices regarding tracheostomy care. After the TCP was implemented, intensive care nurses improved their knowledge and practices. Postintervention, the number of complications and the length of hospital stay among patients were reduced.