Improving Pediatric Tracheostomy Care: A Multidisciplinary and High-Reliability Approach

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This one-hour educational seminar will provide otolaryngologists and airway nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for pediatric patients with tracheostomies as part of a high-reliability multidisciplinary team. The seminar will feature presentations by a pediatric otolaryngologist and pediatric nurse, who are experts in pediatric airway management.

The seminar will begin with an overview of the current state of tracheostomy practice and the importance of building a high-reliability tracheostomy team to improve the care of patients with tracheostomies. The pediatric otolaryngologist will then discuss the epidemiology and indications for pediatric tracheostomy, including common conditions such as congenital airway anomalies, laryngeal and tracheal stenosis, and tracheostomy as a result of prolonged mechanical ventilation. They will also discuss the best practices for reducing practice variability, in-hospital complications, and unplanned readmissions.

The pediatric nurse will provide an in-depth overview of the forward-facing care of pediatric patients with tracheostomies, including patient education, evaluation and triage, coordination of care, and tracheostomy tube management (including customization and supply chain management). We will also discuss the importance of speech therapy and swallowing management in this complex patient population, including the potential difficulties that can arise from tracheostomy and strategies for preventing and managing them.

The speakers will provide case studies and interactive discussions throughout the seminar to enhance the learning experience. The seminar will also include a question-and-answer session, during which attendees can ask the speakers any questions about building a high-reliability tracheostomy team.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Identify the current state of tracheostomy practice and the importance of building a high-reliability tracheostomy team to improve the care of patients with tracheostomies.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Describe the epidemiology and indications for pediatric tracheostomy and the best practices for reducing practice variability, in-hospital complications, and unplanned readmissions in tracheostomy care.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Implement forward-facing tracheostomy care, including patient education, evaluation, coordination, tube management, speech therapy, and swallowing management to prevent and manage difficulties that may arise.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Building a high-reliability tracheostomy team is essential to improve patient outcomes & reduce practice variability, it addresses an important need in the field of tracheostomy care and a stated knowledge gap for this year's annual meeting.