A person with a tracheostomy requires complex care involving clinicians across different healthcare specialties. The purpose of this module is to provide students with knowledge and skills to organise, lead and deliver therapeutic interventions to support adults with a tracheostomy. This module also aims to enhance students’ knowledge and practice in evidence-based tracheostomy care and to facilitate learning in assessment and therapeutic interventions within the context of tracheostomy safety and holistic care. This Module has input from a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Tracheostomy Care.

 

This module explores; Therapeutic interventions and managing tracheostomy care interventions across the lifespan, tracheostomy tube selection, maintaining airway patency, providing an optimum environment of care for people with a tracheostomy tube in critical care, general ward and community settings. Clinical interventions for optimal tracheostomy tube and stoma care, infection prevention and control, management of tracheostomy tube emergencies, weaning and decannulation.

 

Education interventions to facilitate patient/family/carer needs, discharge planning. Multidisciplinary care and supporting individuals with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, promoting effective communication, psychological support and patient advocacy. Safe eating, drinking, nutritional support, patient safety.

 

Learning outcomes:

• Critically discuss one's role in planning, monitoring, coordinating and managing care of individuals with a tracheostomy within a multidisciplinary context.
• Critically evaluate evidence based therapeutic interventions to provide safe and effective tracheostomy care.
• Critically explore strategies that empower individuals with a tracheostomy to maximise health and wellbeing.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the need to anticipate, lead and manage tracheostomy care interventions.
• Critically discuss the psychological impact of having a tracheostomy for the individual and their family/significant others.