The factors identified provide a basis for assessment, planning, interventions, and follow-up of patients to help reduce the risk of readmission and, thus, poor outcomes.

Symptom management should focus on symptoms that interfere with patients' QOL. Further research should target the evaluation of specific interventions for symptoms.

Background Tracheal dryness is a concern after total laryngectomy due to the potential for mucus plugs (MP). This study compared heat and moisture exchanger (HME) cassettes to external tracheal humidification (ETH) surrounding MP events. Methods A retrospective comparative cohort study comparing outcomes before/after implementation of a patient safety initiative utilizing HME during post laryngectomy hospitalization. The number of MP events were compared with a pre‐implementation control group using ETH. Patient characteristics were analyzed for correlation with MP. Results The rate of MP was significantly lower in the HME group than ETH (0.13 and 0.38 per 10 inpatient days, respectively, P = .02). The proportion of patients with one or more MP events was also significantly reduced in the HME group (50% ETH and 11% HME, P = .01). Method of humidification was the only significant variable associated with MP on logistic regression modeling (P = .008). Conclusions HMEs were superior to ETH for prevention of MP.

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