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Retrospective, cross-sectional review of delayed discharge after paediatric tracheostomy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 October 2012

A Rafferty*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
D Knight
Affiliation:
Newcastle University Medical School, UK
S Bew
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthetics, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
L Knight
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Miss Amy Rafferty, 1 Bowood Crescent, Meanwood, Leeds LS7 2PY, UK E-mail: amyrafferty@doctors.org.uk

Abstract

Objectives:

To investigate reasons for prolonged hospitalisation of children with tracheostomies once they are medically fit for discharge.

Methods:

Retrospective, cross-sectional study of 101 children undergoing tracheostomy between 2000 and 2010.

Results:

Of the study patients, 44.6 per cent did not spend any time in hospital once medically fit, 19.8 per cent spent up to two weeks, 12.9 per cent spent between two weeks and one month, and 22.8 per cent spent over one month. Of the 56 cases with delayed discharge, the majority (22 children, 39.3 per cent) were delayed due to time taken obtaining parental competencies in tracheostomy management. A number of external factors were identified in these delays: parental substance abuse; single parenting; concerns about parenting ability, and English not being the parents' first language.

Conclusion:

Paediatric tracheostomy may lead to prolonged hospitalisation, but this is often influenced by social factors. Better use of dedicated specialist paediatric tracheostomy nurses may reduce unnecessary hospitalisation.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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Footnotes

Presented orally at the European Society of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 5–8 June 2010, Pamplona, Spain, and at the Yorkshire Paediatric Society Winter Meeting, 8 February 2011, Leeds, UK.

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