Course description

Caring for a patient with a temporary tracheostomy is a routine aspect of critical care practice. However, patients with a temporary tracheostomy are often transferred to other clinical areas, where nursing staff may not be familiar with caring for them. This module aims to provide an overview of the nursing care of a patient with a temporary tracheostomy, with reference to current best practice guidelines, including the National Tracheostomy Safety Project's (NTSP) (2013) NTSP Manual and the Intensive Care Society (ICS) (2014) Standards for the Care of Adult Patients with a Temporary Tracheostomy.

Don't forget that you do not have to complete our two-hour learning modules all in one go. Tailor your learning to fit into your busy schedule by undertaking one or two sections at a time. You can stop and save your learning at any point and pick up where you left off when you return.

Learning aims and intended outcomes

• Prepare a poster identifying the types of tracheostomy tube commonly used, and the indications for each
• Explain the nursing care of the patient with a temporary tracheostomy
• List the equipment that should be readily available for daily and emergency use in patients with a temporary tracheostomy
• Describe the importance of clear communication and documentation in preventing complications
• List the common risk factors for clinical incidents following the insertion of a temporary tracheostomy tube