Objective: To evaluate the immediate and sustained knowledge retention and sense of self-efficacy of homecare nurses following completion of a standardized competency-based tracheostomy education course. Safe discharge of children requiring tracheostomy with or without ventilation relies on the competence of homecare nurses. Study Design: Pragmatic, randomized controlled trial of 44 homecare nurses. Participants were randomized into the intervention group (n=21), which received the tracheostomy course, or the control group (n=23), which received an enterostomy and vascular access course. Multiple-choice question (MCQ) knowledge assessments and self-efficacy questionnaires were administered to both groups pre-course and post-course at 6 week, 3 month, 6 month, and 12 month follow-ups. Results: Twenty participants in the intervention group and 19 in the control group were included. Four withdrew from the study and two crossed over from the control into the intervention arm. The change in mean self-efficacy scores (total score = 100) was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 6 weeks (intervention (mean ± SD): 18.6±14.5; control: 6.6±20.4; p=0.04) and 3 months (intervention: 19.6±14.2; control: 5.2±17.0; p=0.007), and trended higher at 6 months (intervention: 18.0±14.5; control: 6.9±24.1; p=0.1) and 12 months (intervention: 16.9±15.0; control: 16.8±20.5; p=1.0). The change in mean MCQ assessment scores (total score = 20) trended higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 6 weeks (intervention (mean ± SD): 1.8±2.2; control: 1.6, ±2.9; p=0.8). Conclusions: Homecare nurses who attended the tracheostomy course demonstrated a higher sense of self-efficacy at long-term follow-up.

Objectives: Discharging a child home on long term ventilation (LTV) via tracheostomy is complex and involves multiple healthcare providers across healthcare sectors. To date, patient and family feedback of a newly developed LTV discharge pathway has been anecdotal. Our objective was to explore the perceptions of family caregivers (FCs) that have completed the LTV pathway to home with respect to their: (1) experience with transitions across the pathway (2) perceptions of competency attainment and, (3) viewed opportunities for improvement. Methods: We conducted 11 semi structured interviews with FCs. Interviews focused on FCs experience with the training process, perception of competency from a knowledge and skill perspective and opportunities for improvement. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Results: Eight mothers and 3 fathers of 10 children participated. Six primary themes were identified: 1) making an informed decision, 2) transitioning to rehabilitation, 3) building capacity for self-care, 4) coordinating case management, 5) readying for discharge home and, 6) experiencing home care. Conclusion: Overall, FCs felt that the preparation and transition support obtained through the application of a standardized LTV discharge pathway allowed successful attainment of new knowledge and skills necessary to care for their child with LTV at home.