Objective: Determine the efficacy of a team-based approach to reduce tracheostomy-related skin breakdown by creating a standardized intraoperative dressing and nursing wound care protocol.
Methods: Prospective data collection of pediatric tracheostomy outcomes before and after interventions consisting of intraoperative wound dressing and standardized nursing wound care bundles.
Results: Before intervention, the incidence of skin breakdown within the first-week post-tracheostomy was 52% (13/25). Among patients who received an intraoperative wound dressing and nursing wound care bundles, the incidence of skin breakdown was reduced to 6.1% (3/49).
Conclusion: The adoption of intraoperative wound dressings and nursing wound care bundles has nearly eliminated the incidence of skin breakdown in the first week post-tracheostomy among patients 0-12 years of age.
Keywords: General pediatric; Pressure injury; Tracheostomy; Wound care.
Published by Elsevier B.V.