Assessment of Healthcare Providers’ Knowledge on the Management of Pediatric Tracheostomy Emergencies

Introduction Morbidity and mortality related to tracheostomy can be reduced if complications are recognized immediately and managed effectively. Healthcare providers involved in the management of pediatric patients must be aware of tracheostomy-related emergencies, especially in life threatening situations. However, there is limited literature on this theme. Objectives To assess the knowledge of healthcare providers in managing tracheostomy-related complications in pediatric patients. Methods A descriptive, multicenter study was conducted among healthcare providers involved in the management of pediatric patients undergoing tracheostomy. Data were collected using electronic questionnaires, and participants’ knowledge was evaluated using various clinical scenarios. Results A total of 520 healthcare providers from different subspecialties with varying levels of experience were included. Over 50% of participants had never dealt with tracheostomy-related complications in pediatric populations, and 30.5% were unfamiliar with the function of the introducer/obturator. Furthermore, only 17.9% understood the purpose of stay sutures. Notably, when presented with different clinical scenarios, a significant knowledge gap was observed among the participants. Conclusion There were significant gaps in knowledge among healthcare professionals regarding the management of tracheostomy-related emergencies in the pediatric population. Education on this topic is essential among healthcare professionals. This needs to be addressed to maximize patient safety. Further studies are recommended.