A study to evaluate the effectiveness of Tracheostomy Care Protocol (TCP) for the intensive care nurses to prevent the tracheostomy complications among the adult tracheostomy patients in the selected hospital of Udupi District.

Tracheostomy is a frequent performing surgical procedure in ICU settings, the tracheostomy complication rate is vary from country to country, from as low as 2.1% to higher than 20% in some series. There are no standard complication rate related to tracheostomy which makes difficult for tracheostomy complications comparision.The purpose of this study is to bring out standard tracheostomy care protocol (TCP). This TCP will be a simple, easy and creative way to remember the tracheostomy care protocol to prevent the complications and to enhance the quality care for the patients. By this, health care providers may improve their knowledge and there may be prevention of tracheostomy complications such as local wound infections, bleeding, hypoxia, tube obstruction and also it may minimize hospital stay and the patients may recover fast.Aims & objectives:

Objectives of the study are to:

-  Collect three-month data on tracheostomy complications from the selected hospital. (prospectively).

-  Determine the existing knowledge of tracheostomy care among the intensive care nurses by using a structured knowledge questionnaire.

-  Determine the existing practice of care by using a practice checklist.

- Evaluate the effectiveness of tracheostomy care protocol, in terms of

·     Improvement in knowledge and practices.

·     Reduction in complication rates.