Improving tracheostomy care for ward patients.

The number of patients with a tracheostomy being cared for in the ward setting has increased recently as intensive care clinicians use this procedure to aid early weaning from mechanical ventilation. As a result, ward staff are providing the specialist care required by patients with a tracheostomy more frequently. This article describes how the outreach team and the critical care practice development nurse in one trust collaborated to identify, develop and implement strategies to ensure that patients with a tracheostomy in the ward setting would be cared for by an educated and supported team of nurses.