Implementation of a Standardized Tracheostomy Education Discharge Protocol
Head and Neck Cancer
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Head and Neck Cancer focused on measuring Caregiver activation, Caregiver knowledge, Caregiver skills, Caregiver confidence, Tracheostomy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Patient participants:
- Diagnosis of malignancy of the head and neck requiring reconstruction and temporary tracheostomy
- No previous record of tracheostomy
- Has an identified family caregiver who is willing to participate
- Has the tracheostomy in place for at least 10 days after discharge
Caregiver participants:
- Family member or friend, who is 18 years or older, of an adult patient described above
- Identified by the patient as his/her primary caregiver who is providing daily assistance
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who do not have a caregiver
- Caregivers who are illiterate.
- Caregivers with previous tracheostomy experience.
- Patients who are decannulated from tracheostomy prior to discharge.
- Patients discharged to a skilled nursing facility at the time of discharge.
- Patients who are tolerating continuous tracheostomy capping at time of discharge
Sites / Locations
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Tracheostomy discharge protocol
All head and neck cancer patients regardless of participation in the study will receive the standard of care: A copy of a tracheostomy education booklet and standardized discharge training for patients and their caregivers by nursing staff during their inpatient stay. Research personnel will provide protocol training to the inpatient nurses who are to provide training to caregivers. Pre-implementation phase: Eligible "patient" participants identified & healthcare utilization recorded. "Nursing staff" participants complete nursing survey to capture volume of tracheostomy-related questions received. Protocol-phase: "Caregiver" participants will complete a survey prior to patient tracheostomy, on day of patient discharge, and one week following discharge Post-implementation phase: "Nursing staff" participants will complete an additional survey similar to the one in the pre-implementation phase. EMR will be reviewed for implementation fidelity.