Effectiveness of Educational Program on Knowledge and Practice of Tracheostomy Care Among Nurses at a Private Hospital

Abstract

Background: Tracheostomy care is a critical component of intensive care nursing, yet persistent knowledge and practice gaps among nurses contribute to suboptimal patient outcomes and increased complication rates. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educational program on enhancing the knowledge and practice of tracheostomy care among ICU nurses at a private hospital, with the expectation of measurable improvements in clinical competency and adherence to best practices. Methods: This quasi-experimental pre- and post-test study was conducted among ICU nurses (n = 35) at a private hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Eligible participants included registered nurses and nursing students assigned to the ICU, while physicians and patients were excluded. Data were collected using a validated knowledge questionnaire and observational checklist before and after a focused educational intervention. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board, and all procedures conformed to the Helsinki Declaration. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing paired t-tests and subgroup analyses to assess changes in knowledge and practice, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The intervention resulted in a significant increase in mean knowledge scores from 47.15 ± 8.02 pre-intervention to 66.62 ± 6.53 post-intervention (mean difference = 19.47; 95% CI: 17.21–21.73; p < 0.001), with marked improvements across domains such as infection control (+80.0%), stoma care (+74.3%), and emergency management (+65.7%). Effect sizes were large, demonstrating robust clinical and statistical impact. Conclusion: The structured educational program was highly effective in bridging knowledge and practice gaps in tracheostomy care among ICU nurses, supporting the integration of ongoing, evidence-based training as a standard element of hospital policy to optimize patient outcomes and promote clinical excellence in intensive care settings.