Development of a nurse-led education program for patients with tracheotomy and laryngectomy and their members for the department for otorhinolaryngology of the University Hospital Muenster

Many postoperative patients develop a deficit in self-care due to long-term or permanent tracheostomy or larnygostomy. In order to prevent the deficit and train necessary disease-related competences like tracheal suction, tubechanging or the behavior in an emergency situation, the aim was to establish a nurse-led education program for patients and their family members.

Firstly we drafted a nurse-led education program based on a systematically review of current literature. Secondly we discussed that draft in an expert panel regarding to practicability and prepared the revised education program for implementation in clinical practice.

The nurse-led education program includes preoperative consultations up to discharge instructions. It consists of six modules which the patients have to go through during hospital stay. These modules include explanations of anatomy of respiratory system and training in practical skills like tracheal suction or independently tubechanging.

Hospitals should implement the nurse-led education program to improve patient safety and to support the discharge process. Currently this nurse-led education program is being piloted in three units in the department for otorhinolaryngology of the University Hospital Muenster.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)