Loerzel, V.W., Crosby, W.W., Reising, E., & Sole, M.L. (2014). Developing the Tracheostomy Care Anxiety Relief through Education and Support (T-CARES) Program. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18, 522–527.
To evaluate the effectiveness of thee Tracheostomy Care Anxiety Relief through Education and Support (T-CARES) educational program for decreasing caregiver anxiety and increasing caregiver competence with tracheostomy suctioning
T-CARES is a one-hour course for caregivers about caring for a tracheostomy. The course is offered once a week in the hospital unit in a group setting. It involves an 18-minute video, group discussion, hands-on practice, and a return demonstration of tracheostomy care. The course covers the following topics: the introduction to airway anatomy, components of a tracheostomy tube, tracheostomy suctioning, stoma care, changing the ties securing the tracheostomy, cleaning the inner cannula, preparing for the unexpected, reinsertion of the tracheostomy tube after accidental decannulation, how to handle a mucous plug, when to call the doctor, and self-care. Evaluations were done at baseline and postintervention.
Nonexperimental, self-selected to receive the intervention pre- and post-test pilot study
Mean STAI scores dropped from 50.5 to 34.3 after the intervention (p = 0.008). All participants were able to perform nine of the 14 skills needed for tracheostomy suctioning. Course evaluations were positive.
T-CARES is an effective intervention for reducing caregiver anxiety and increasing caregiver competency of tracheostomy care.
Nurse-developed caregiver educational programs may be useful in decreasing anxiety and increasing competency for the development of new caregiver skills required for quality patient care. Additional research in this area is indicated.