Registered nurses’ experience of care for adult patients with a temporary tracheostomy at general hospital wards. A phenomenological-hermeneutic explorative study

Abstract

Background - Caring for adult patients with a temporary tracheostomy in general wards can be challenging and complex. Little research has explored registered nurses’ experiences with caring for these groups of patients.<p>

<p>Objectives - This study sought to interpret and describe registered nurses’ lived experiences of caring for adult patients with a tracheostomy in general wards.<p>

<p>Research design/methodology - Six registered nurses were interviewed in this study. The interviews were analysed to gain comprehensive knowledge about caring for adult patients with a temporary tracheostomy. The interviews were transcribed, analysed, and interpreted by using Gadameŕs philosophical hermeneutics and Kvale and Brinkmann’s three steps of understanding.<p>

<p>Setting - Three different wards medical, surgical, and neurological of a teaching hospital in Norway.<p>

<p>Findings - Three themes emerged from data analysis. These included experiencing clinically challenging patients, a lack of clinical support from the intensive care nurses, and a lack of professional confidence.<p>

<p>Conclusion - This study highlighted the challenges surrounding the care of an adult patient with a tracheostomy in the general wards. Identifying these challenges would lead to further improvement in registered nurses’ experiences and, in turn, in the quality of competent care for adult patients with a tracheostomy in the general ward.