Characteristics of tracheostomized patients followed up by a Palliative Care and Complex Chronic Patient Service.
An Pediatr (Engl Ed)
; 100(4): 251-258, 2024 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38604934
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of children with tracheostomies. The objective was to describe the characteristics of paediatric patients with a tracheostomy followed up by the Department of Palliative Care and Chronic Medically Complex Illness (DPCCMCI) of a tertiary care hospital.METHODS:
Single-centre retrospective observational study in patients aged less than 18 years with a tracheostomy followed up by the PCCCPS of a tertiary care hospital (November 2020-June 2022). We analysed epidemiological, clinical, microbiological and social data by reviewing the health records.RESULTS:
The sample included 44 tracheostomized patients. The most frequent underlying disease was acquired upper airway disease (20.5%). The most common indication for tracheostomy was upper airway obstruction (66%). Bacterial isolates were detected in 84% of the tracheal aspirates, among which P. aeruginosa was the most frequent (56.8%). The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was ciprofloxacin (84%). In addition, 18.1% of the patients received at least 1 course of intravenous antibiotherapy and 29.5% received more than 3 systemic antibiotic regimens in the past 20 months. Fifty-nine percent of the children were schooled 38.6% attended a regular school, 15.9% a special needs school and 4.5% were home-schooled. We identified social difficulties in 53.7%. Also, 22.7% of the families received financial support to care for a child with severe illness.CONCLUSIONS:
Because of the complexity of caring for tracheostomized children, integral and coordinated management is essential. Schooling is possible and safe if caregivers are trained.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Palliative Care
/
Tracheostomy
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
An Pediatr (Engl Ed)
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Spain