Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice Regarding Caring of Patients with Tracheostomy in Suez Canal University Hospital

Abstract

Background, Tracheostomy care is a critical aspect of nursing responsibilities, requiring specialized skills to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Nurses play a pivotal role in the comprehensive care of patients with tracheostomies, undertaking essential tasks. Aim of study: to assess nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding caring of patients with tracheostomy. Research design: A descriptive correlational design was used in this study. Setting: the present study was carried out at critical care units as Intensive Care Unit, Cardiothoracic unit, intermediate care units Stroke Unit, Intermediate Unit. Sample: A convenient sample of 90 staff nurses . Tools of data collection: The data were collected using two tools A structured self-administered questionnaire sheet to assess knowledge and nurses’ observational checklist to assess nurses' practice regarding caring of patients with tracheostomy. Results: The study revealed that 81.5% of studied nurses aged between twenty and thirty years and more than three quarters (76.7%) had technical degrees. Approximately 40% had 1-5 years of experience, while 86.7% didn’t attend tracheostomy care courses, the majority (78%) possessed an unsatisfactory knowledge level, and 98.9% exhibited incompetent practice level and the study identified a correlation between educational level and nurses' knowledge in tracheostomy care Conclusion: Most of the studied nurses had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding tracheostomy care and the majority of studied nurses had incompetent total practice regarding tracheostomy care and there was a relationship between educational level and nurses' knowledge regarding tracheostomy care. Recommendations: Implement regular educational guidelines for nurses about tracheostomy care are recommended.