Effectiveness of a standardized education process for tracheostomy care.

Abstract

Evaluate the effectiveness of an educational curriculum on general tracheostomy care principles and determine the effect of this educational curriculum on the level of provider comfort with tracheostomy care. Cross-sectional questionnaire in an academic medical center. A 25-question multiple choice and true/false quiz was given to nonotolaryngology health care providers (nurses and physicians) who routinely provide tracheostomy care. This was followed by an education module, and the quiz was repeated. Participants were also asked to rate their level of comfort (0-100 point scale) managing a tracheostomy before and after the module. A 6-month follow-up assessment was also obtained. A total of 94 health care providers participated in the education module (50 physicians, 37 nurses, 7 fourth-year medical students). The average number of correct answers increased by 3.1 (P < 0.001). The level of confidence in tracheostomy care improved by 18.8 points (P < 0.001). At the 6-month assessment, there was still a significant improvement in the number of correct questions and level of confidence when compared to preeducation values (P < 0.02 for both). There was no significant change in the 6-month values when compared to the posteducation values. A standardized education module for tracheostomy care teaching resulted in significant increases in provider knowledge and confidence. Standardization of tracheostomy education and care is essential in academic hospital medical centers where multiple specialties may be performing tracheostomies and health care providers frequently change. N/A.