Tracheostomy Care
Nison Vo
Evergreen Valley College

Tracheostomy Care
In this paper I will compare and contrast between EBP (evidence based practice) and SCVMC’s (Santa Clara Valley Medical) policy regarding tracheostomy care/suctioning. Current EBP states that “the patient's respiratory status must remain the focus, and no set schedule should exist for tracheostomy suctioning” (Schreiber 123). SCVMC’s policy states that RN’s (registered nurses) and LVN’s (licensed vocational nurses) should suction tracheostomies depending on the doctors’ orders and as needed by the patient based on assessment/status. All in all, SCVMC’s policy does principally coincide with the current EBP discussed in this paper, which would aid in providing …show more content…
In SCVMC’s policy, it is more descriptive when giving instructions on assessing the patient prior to suctioning. It states, “Assess hydration status, humidity delivered to the airway, signs of possible infection, nutritional status, and ability to cough”. In addition, it states to “Place the patient on a pulse oximeter” (“Tracheostomy Tube: Care and Suctioning” 2014). In contrast, EBP in Lewis states, “Assess SpO2 and heart rate and rhythm to provide baseline for detecting change during suctioning” (Lewis 509). These extra precautions in SCVMC’s policy are rational in that it provides more of a detailed assessment on the patient’s status prior to the intervention; however, EBP suggests establishing a reference of vital signs, which would also aid in maintaining patient’s stability. It states in SCVMC’s policy that if the secretions are too thick to suction, sterile normal saline may be instilled to “loosen and liquefy secretions” (“Suctioning An Artificial Airway Endotracheal Tube Or Tracheostomy Tube” 2010). On the other hand, EBP states that “Normal saline and mucus do not appear to mix so it does not thin or mobilize secretions. It would be better to increase humidification by improving systemic hydration either orally or by intravenous infusion” (Potter …show more content…
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