Preventing Complications of Pediatric Tracheostomy Through Standardized Wound Care and Parent Education

Abstract

Tracheostomy care requires expertise for all caregivers and is challenging for people without specialized training. Specialized nursing and education protocols are associated with decreased complications of tracheostomy wounds. Children who are discharged directly to home are at higher risk for readmission compared with children discharged to advanced care facilities. Further development of caregiver education protocols is necessary to continue to reduce readmissions and tracheostomy-related complications.