Postoperative Management After Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy: Improving Nursing Knowledge With Bedside Posters

This study sought to improve nursing staff understanding regarding the differences in postoperative management between patients who have undergone tracheostomy and laryngectomy. The intervention involved a brief didactic session followed by the placement of an informative poster and anatomic diagram above the bed of tracheostomy and laryngectomy patients over a 6-month period. Data were collected before and after the didactic session and poster implementation. Of the 50 nurses surveyed, 32% believed oral ventilation is appropriate for laryngectomy patients compared to 0% of nurses after the intervention. The percentage of nursing staff reporting self-assessed clear understanding of the patient care differences between laryngectomy and tracheostomy improved after the intervention. The use of informational posters and didactic sessions significantly improves nursing staff understanding of the differences between tracheostomy and laryngectomy patients. Level of Evidence: IV