Nurses’ views and experience of caring tracheostomy complications to cancer patients at a tertiary referral cancer hospital in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Tracheostomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure for the management of upper airway obstructions. Laryngeal carcinoma and neck malignancy remain the major indication of emergency tracheostomy among cancer patients due to upper airway obstruction were as by the majority of cases are presented late with respiratory distress and therefore require emergency tracheostomy to be performed. It has been seen that there is an association of a tracheostomy tube with increased post ICU mortality; this increase may be attributed due to inadequate experience of nursing staff who are responsible for the care of tracheotomies patients in the ward Aim: The study aimed to explore nurses’ views and experience of caring for tracheostomy complications to cancer patients at a tertiary referral cancer hospital in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was used. Registered nurses working in the cancer ward from Ocean Road Cancer Institute were purposively selected and individual, in-depth interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data using a deductive approach. Results: Sixteen registered nurses were interviewed. Most of the participants were female 12(75%). Four major themes emerged after data analysis which are: availability of equipment and supply within a hospital setting, need for training to manage complications, involvement of caregiver and patients on tracheostomy care, and need for multidisciplinary team approach which is elaborated in detail and supported with quotes. Conclusions: This study shows that caring for tracheostomy complications among registered nurses is very challenging due to inadequate experience, knowledge on tracheostomy care and equipment and supplies, therefore to improve tracheostomy care and management, there is a need for training of nurses in managing complications, availability of equipment and supply within a hospital setting. In addition, there is a need for the involvement of caregivers and patients in tracheostomy care and multidisciplinary teams to manage complications. Keyword: Tracheostomy, Tracheostomy care, Tracheostomy complications, Registered nurse