The Effectiveness of a Stomadhesive Compared with Standard Care of Tracheostomy

Background The literature review showed little research-based evidence in tracheostomy care, also no evidence about the best dressing to use.

Objectives To explore the effects of using stomadhesive versus gauze in tracheostomy care, included preventing skin breakdown, wear time, nurses’ satisfaction, patients’ comfort, and cost analysis.

Methods The patients were from the respiratory care center, according to a convenience sampling based on the cross over design of the quasi experimental research. Two groups have been given two different dressings of tracheostomy care. First group received the gauze and second group received stomadhesive depending on permuted block randomization. After six days, two groups exchanged the dressings of tracheostomy care.

Results Stomadhesive was significantly better than gauze to keep the skin integrity around stoma site and to reduce total products amount. The frequency of care and material costs for stomadhesive and gauze did not differ. About nursing time between different treatments stomadhesive required longer time than gauze, and met the significant differences (Z= -2.599, P<.01). Comparison of nurses’ satisfaction of two tracheostomy care methods between group or within group showed that stomadhesive was higher than gauze.

Conclusion Stomadhesive may be more effective than gauze to reduce the peri skin problems and to increase the satisfaction of nurses; whereas total costs and nursing time of this method are not higher.