Abstract
A descriptive study was conducted to determine what scientific principles were understood by nurses relative to the care of tracheostomy patients. A random sample of thirty-five nurses: twenty-four from medical-surgical units, three from pediatric units, and eight nurses from intensive care units, were selected from nurses working at two community hospitals. The interview method was used to obtain the data. An interview guide was developed from information gained in the literature review and findings of the pilot study.
The findings of the study indicated that the nurses realized speech would be lost with tracheostomy, but other essential physiological changes were not well understood. The complications of tube obstruction and infection were mentioned by twenty-seven nurses, the other twelve possible complications were mentioned by zero to seven nurses. The majority of the nurses evidenced a lack of understanding of the correct techniques used in suctioning. Of the ten correct suctioning techniques possible, the nurses gave an average of 4.9 responses.
Nurses from intensive care units evidenced no greater under standing of the principles underlying tracheostomy care, nor did those nurses who cared for large numbers of tracheostomy patients or those who had the greatest number of years of experience.
Recommendations were made for further research and implementation of education programs to improve the nurses' understanding of the principles and ultimately improve patient care.
LLU Discipline
Nursing
Department
Nursing
School
Graduate School
First Advisor
Matilda Anabelle Mills
Second Advisor
L. Lucile Lewis
Third Advisor
Lloyd A. Dayes
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Degree Level
M.S.
Year Degree Awarded
1966
Date (Title Page)
6-1966
Language
English
Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings
Tracheotomy
Type
Thesis
Page Count
vii; 71
Digital Format
Digital Publisher
Loma Linda University Libraries
Copyright
Author
Usage Rights
This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.
Recommended Citation
Featherstone, Mary Ann, "Principles Understood by Nurses Relative to the Care of Tracheostomy Patients" (1966). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 1256.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1256
Collection
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Collection Website
http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/
Repository
Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives