Bundled Intervention Reduces Rate of Pediatric Tracheostomy-Related Pressure Ulcers

Implementation of a bundled intervention reduced the rate of tracheostomy-related pressure ulcers (TRPUs) in one facility’s pediatric ventilator unit, reports a study published in the March 1, 2012, issue of Pediatrics. The study included all tracheostomy-dependent patients admitted to the facility’s 18-bed ventilator unit from July 2008 through December 2010. According to the study’s results, the rate of patients who developed a TRPU significantly decreased from 8.1% during the preintervention period to 2.6% during development of the bundle to 0.3% after the bundle’s implementation. The interventions incorporated into the TRPU-prevention bundle included frequent skin and device assessments, moisture-reducing device interface, and pressure-free device interface.