Development and Implementation f a Standardized Tracheostomy Discharge Education Bundle for Caregivers of Children with Tracheostomies

by Jennifer Petrasanta

Medical Devices & Digital Health

Introduction: Evidence shows that a standardized tracheostomy education and a standardized tracheostomy "go-bag" are considered best practices in preparing caregivers of children with tracheostomies for discharge to home. Currently, our organization does not have standardized tracheostomy education and training across its units and compliance with a standardized tracheostomy “go-bag” is low during clinic visits.
Purpose: The purpose of this EBP project is to develop and implement a Standardized Tracheostomy Discharge Education Bundle (STDEB) for caregivers of children with tracheostomies at an urban tertiary pediatric hospital.
Methods: The John Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model will be used as a framework for the implementation of this project. The team will develop and implement a Standardized Tracheostomy Discharge Education Bundle (STDEB) for caregivers of children with tracheostomies which includes tracheostomy classes, skills training, simulation of emergency situations, a tracheostomy binder, and a tracking system of caregiver progress. The project team will also provide a standardized tracheostomy “go-bag” and train them on its use and maintenance. Staff nurses and RCPs will undergo intensive training. The team will establish a hospital-wide multidisciplinary tracheostomy committee. The implementation period is anticipated to occur August-October of 2023.
Outcomes Data will be collected using the “Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale” (RHDS) nurse and caregiver report, “Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale” (PDCDS) to evaluate the effectiveness of the STDEB, compliance of the “go-bag” and caregiver perceptions of the standardized tracheostomy go-bag. Additional data to be collected will include tracheostomy-related readmission within 30 days. Descriptive analysis will be used to analyze the participants’ demographics, and “go-bag” compliance. A 2-sample t-test for the RHDS and PDCDS. Patterns or common themes that emerge will be determined from the responses from the interview.
Evaluation and Results: Initial evaluation data will be available in October 2023.