Competency Performance Checklist

Skill 23-4: Providing Tracheostomy Care Student: _______________________________________

Essential/ critical element?

Date: _______________
Competency Demonstrated? Yes No

Element
1. Introduced self and verified clients identity. 2. Explained procedure to client and discussed how results will be used. 3. Gathered appropriate equipment. 4. Performed hand hygiene and observed other appropriate infection control. 5. Provided for client privacy. 6. Prepared client and equipment. a. Assisted client to semi-Fowlers or Fowlers position to promote lung expansion. b. Suctioned tracheostomy tube, if needed. c. If suctioning was required, allowed client to rest and restore oxygenation. d. Opened tracheostomy kit or sterile basins. e. Established sterile field. f. Opened other sterile supplies as needed. g. Poured soaking solution and sterile normal saline into separate containers. h. Applied clean gloves. i. Removed oxygen source. j. Unlocked inner cannula and removed it by gently pulling it outward toward self in line with its curvature. Placed inner cannula in soaking solution. k. Removed soiled tracheostomy dressing. Placed soiled dressing in gloved hand and peeled glove off so that it turned inside out over dressing. Removed and discarded gloves and dressing. Performed hand hygiene. l. Applied sterile gloves. Kept dominant hand sterile during procedure. 7. Cleaned inner cannula. a. Removed inner cannula from soaking solution. b. Cleaned lumen and entire inner cannula thoroughly using brush or pipe cleaners moistened with sterile normal saline. Inspected cannula for cleanliness. c. Rinsed inner cannula thoroughly in sterile normal saline. d. After rinsing, gently tapped cannula against inside edge of sterile saline container. Used pipe cleaner folded in half to dry only inside of cannula. 8. Replaced inner cannula and secured it in place. a. Inserted inner cannula by grasping outer flange and inserting cannula in direction of its curvature. b. Locked cannula in place by turning lock into position to secure flange of inner cannula to outer cannula.

9. Cleaned incision site and tube flange. a. Used sterile applicators or gauze dressings moistened with normal saline and cleaned incision site. b. Cleaned flange of tube. c. Thoroughly dried clients skin and tube flanges with dry gauze squares. 10. Applied sterile dressing. a. Used a commercially prepared tracheostomy dressing or opened and refolded a nonraveling 4 x 4 gauze dressing into a V shape. b. Placed dressing under flange of tracheostomy tube. c. Ensured that tracheostomy tube is securely supported while applying dressing. 11. Changed tracheostomy ties. a. Changed as needed to keep skin clean and dry. Two-Strip Method (Twill Ties) a. Cut two unequal strips of ties, one approximately 10 in. long and the other about 20 in. long. b. Cut 0.5 in. lengthwise slit approximately 1 in. from each end of strip. c. Left old ties in place and threaded new ties onto tracheostomy flange from bottom side then threaded long end of tie through slit pulling until it was securely fastened. d. Repeated process for second tie. e. Asked client to flex neck. Slipped longer tie under clients neck, placed finger between tape and clients neck and tied ties together at side of neck. f. Tied ends of ties using square knots. Cut off any long ends. One-Strip Method (Twill Tie) a. Cut length of twill tie 2.5 times length needed to go around clients neck. b. Threaded one end of tie into slot on one side of flange. c. Brought both ends of ties together. Placed them around clients neck. d. Threaded end of tie next to clients neck through slot from back to front. e. Had client flex neck. Tied loose ends with a square knot at side of clients neck. Cut off long ends. 12. Taped and padded tie knot. a. Placed folded 4 x 4 gauze square under tie know and applied tape over knot. b. Checked tightness of ties. 13. Removed and discarded sterile gloves. Performed hand hygiene. Variation: Using a Disposable Inner Cannula a. Opened new cannula package. Unlocked current inner cannula with gloved hand and removed it by gently pulling it toward self in line with curvature. Checked cannula for amount and type of secretions and discarded properly. Picked up new inner cannula, only touching outer locking portion. Inserted new cannula into tracheostomy. Locked cannula in place by turning lock, if present. Used effective body mechanics throughout procedure.

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Communicated appropriately with the client. Documented all relevant information.

Comments: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Overall Performance: Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Evaluator: _______________________________