Nursing interventions for the promotion of tracheostomy self-care: scoping review

Aims and objectives: To map nursing interventions, their characteristics, and outcomes, in promoting self-care of the person with a tracheostomy. Background: The development of competencies in self-care of a person with a tracheostomy is recognised as one of the most significant nursing intervention areas for the promotion of autonomy, prevention of complications and adaptation. Identifying nursing interventions for the promotion of self-care of the person with a tracheostomy enables enhanced clinical practice knowledge within different care contexts and the identification of gaps in the available evidence. Design: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology was used to perform this scoping review. Method: A search was conducted on the CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The search for grey literature included Portugal´s Open Access Scientific Repository, OpenGrey, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Studies published in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French were included. The PRISMA-ScR checklist was used. Results: From a total of 4,224 identified articles, 31 were included in this review. Multiple nursing interventions were identified and grouped into four types of action: informing, managing, determining and attending. Although most interventions are implemented with the face-to-face method, there is a growing interest in using technologies for this purpose. The dose is the characteristic most poorly described in interventions. Various results were obtained; however, valid assessment tools were not always used. Conclusions: Designing and testing intervention programmes for the promotion of self-care of the person with a tracheostomy is necessary, based on available and robust evidence to guide clinical practice. Relevance to clinical practice: This review allowed to systematise nursing interventions to promote self-care of the person with a tracheostomy. The use of combined interventions and methodologies is likely to be more effective in care delivery.