Clinical Nurse Specialist Tracheostomy Management Improves Patient Outcomes : Journal of Nursing Care Quality

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Clinical Nurse Specialist Tracheostomy Management Improves Patient Outcomes

Richardson, Janette MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CCRN; Girardot, Kellie MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC; Powers, Jan PhD, RN, CCNS, CCRN, NE-BC, FCCM, FAAN; Kadenko-Monirian, Michele MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, AGCNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN

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Journal of Nursing Care Quality 38(3):p 251-255, July/September 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000691

Abstract

Background: 

Patients with a tracheostomy are a low-volume, high-risk population with long lengths of hospital stay and high health care costs.

Problem: 

Because of the complex nature of caring for patients with a tracheostomy, it is essential to provide a standardized care approach with ongoing monitoring to optimize outcomes.

Approach: 

A pre/postimplementation design was used. A formal tracheostomy care management process using clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) was implemented.

Outcomes: 

Between April 2019 and December 2020, this process resulted in a significant reduction in time between tracheostomy placement and discharge, from 16 to 12.9 days (P = .02). Reductions were also seen in length of stay and incidence of tracheostomy-related pressure injuries.

Conclusions: 

This project shows that a CNS-led care management process can improve patient outcomes. These improvements in patient outcomes resulted in a significant cost savings to the organization.

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