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Multicenter Study
Assessment of healthcare professionals' knowledge of managing emergency complications in patients with a tracheostomy.
- P Casserly, E Lang, J E Fenton, and M Walsh.
- Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland. paulacasserly@hotmail.com
- Br J Anaesth. 2007 Sep 1;99(3):380-3.
BackgroundEar, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons perform the majority of surgical tracheostomies. Intensive care anaesthetists are increasingly performing bedside percutaneous tracheostomy. The objectives of this study were to characterize emergency complications of tracheostomy and to ascertain healthcare professionals' knowledge of life-saving strategies for the patient with a tracheostomy.MethodsSeventy staff members in two large teaching hospitals completed an interview questionnaire, comprising a simple clinical scenario and unambiguous questions regarding the emergency management of patients with a tracheostomy.ResultsThere were significant gaps in knowledge among healthcare professionals regarding the management of specific tracheostomy-related emergencies.ConclusionsKnowledge of tracheostomy-related emergencies appears to be insufficient among non-ENT healthcare professionals. This needs to be addressed in order to maximize patient safety.
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