Related Experiment Videos
Standardization of pediatric tracheostomy care with "Go-bags"
Jocelyn Kohn1, Mallory McKeon1, Daphne Munhall2
1Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
Insights
Standardized tracheostomy "Go-bags" improve pediatric patient safety by providing essential supplies and education. This initiative significantly reduced tracheostomy-related adverse events in children requiring these devices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Surgical Complications
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Pediatric tracheostomy care requires standardized emergency preparedness.
- Caregiver education and readily available supplies are crucial for managing tracheostomy complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To standardize pediatric tracheostomy emergency supplies and education using "Go-bags".
- To assess the impact of standardized "Go-bags" on tracheostomy-related adverse events (TRAEs).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted at a pediatric tertiary care center.
- Standardized "Go-bags" with tracheostomy supplies and education were provided to pediatric patients.
- TRAEs were tracked and compared between patients with and without "Go-bags" over a two-year period.
Main Results:
- 292 "Go-bags" were distributed, aiding over 185 emergency equipment replacements.
- Patients without "Go-bags" experienced 35% of TRAEs, compared to 22% in patients with "Go-bags".
Conclusions:
- Standardized tracheostomy care, including "Go-bags", is vital for pediatric patient safety.
- "Go-bags" are an effective tool for caregiver education and reducing TRAEs in children with tracheostomies.
Objectives:
To describe how pediatric tracheostomy emergency supplies and education are standardized with the use of "Go-bags" and to demonstrate how this has impacted tracheostomy-related adverse events.
Methods:
A prospective study was completed at an urban pediatric tertiary care center. Standardized "Go-bags" of tracheostomy supplies were provided to pediatric patients with tracheostomy. All caregivers received standardized tracheostomy education. Check lists were used to monitor contents at return visits or admissions. Tracheostomy related adverse events were tracked on all patients with tracheostomy from July 2016 to May 2018, and rates were compared for patients who had received a "Go-bag" to those who had not.
Results:
292 "Go-bags" were distributed during the two-year study period. 35% were distributed by inpatient respiratory therapists, 23% by the home ventilation team, and 22% by a tracheostomy clinic nurse. Supply checks have led to more than 185 cases of emergency tracheostomy equipment replacement. 35% of tracheostomy-related adverse event (TRAE) occurred in patients who did not have a "Go-bag", while 22% of TRAEs occurred in patients who had "Go-bags".
Conclusion:
Standardized pediatric tracheostomy care is critical to patient safety, both in and out of the hospital. Standardized tracheostomy "Go-bags" are a simple and efficient method to educate caregivers, improve the quality of care for children with tracheostomy, and ultimately reduce tracheostomy related adverse events.