Tracheostomy management in Acute Care Facilities – a matter of teamwork

Abstract

This study highlights the importance of inter-disciplinary teamwork in achieving effective patient outcomes and efficiencies. It offers a model of inter-disciplinary practice, supported by communication and data management that can be replicated across other patient groups.

Saliva management options for difficult-to-wean people with tracheostomy following severe acquired brain injury (ABI): A review of the literature

“…There is sufficient evidence that people are better managed with a tracheostomy team [94][95][96][97][98][99][100][101] including those with a traumatic brain injury [102]. Furthermore, there is support for those with saliva management issues to be managed better within a team setting [23,77,78,87,103].…”

An interprofessional team approach to tracheostomy care: A mixed-method investigation into the mechanisms explaining tracheostomy team effectiveness

“…These data indicated the effectiveness of the tracheostomy team and justified its qualitative investigation to understand the mechanisms that contribute to this impact. More detailed information on the quantitative findings is available in Parker et al (2010).…”

“…The use of interprofessional tracheostomy teams has largely been driven by the recognition that tracheostomy care requires considerable expertise from a range of professions (Hunt and McGowan, 2005a,b;Tobin, 2009) and increasing pressure to discharge patients with a tracheostomy from ICU to non-critical care wards (Parker et al, 2010). The use of tracheostomy teams is also reinforced by the widespread trend towards multidisciplinary approaches to decision-making and complex problem-solving in acute care (Garling, 2008).…”

Preparation, clinical support, and confidence of speech–language therapists managing clients with a tracheostomy in the UK

“…Reports in the literature indicate that nursing, medical and allied health professionals responsible for the clinical care of patients with a tracheostomy have large variability in the amount and type of tracheostomy‐specific training received (Manley et al 1999, Smith‐Miller 2006, Ward et al 2008), have varying levels of knowledge and experience managing a tracheostomy (Manley et al 1999, Parker et al 2007, 2010, Smith‐Miller 2006), and many lack confidence in managing this population (Lewis and Oliver 2005, Manley et al 1999, Parker et al 2007, 2010, Ward et al 2008). In addition, it is acknowledged that practice patterns often vary both within and between staff and institutions (Smith‐Miller 2006, Tabaee et al 2007), and even though best practice is often applied to the care of patients with a tracheostomy, this is not always formalized and consistent (Paul 2010).…”