Patient guidance during discharge after a tracheostomy: an integrative review

Objective: to map the orientations provided by nurses for the self-care of patients during the postoperative period of tracheostomy and their transition from hospital to home. Methods: this is an integrative review. We used the PCC acronym, where the Population was adult patients with tracheostomy; the Concept, self-care (education/orientation by the nurse); and the Context, operation periods and home care. The study was based on the question: What guidelines for self-care should the nurse given to patients in the postoperative period of a tracheostomy and in the process of discharge? We carried out a wide search, whose results were reviewed by two researchers and organized around the phenomenon of interest. Results: 1,940 articles were found and 28 were selected. 16 phenomena of interest were organized into three categories: tracheostomy management, airway care, and activities of daily living. Conclusion: Self-care guidance is related to direct care of the stoma, how to act in home emergencies, and psychosocial aspects. Contributions to practice: identifying, summarizing, and organizing evidence about nursing clinical practice creates quality materials that can be implemented fast into clinical practice, especially in regard to preparing patients with tracheostomy for their discharge.