Características de los pacientes traqueostomizados en seguimiento por un Servicio de Atención Paliativa y de Paciente Crónico Complejo (SAPPCC)

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 palliative care and complex chronic patient service (PCCCPS) of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods

Single-centre retrospective observational study in patients aged less than 18 years with a tracheostomy manage 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 Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most frequent (56.8%). The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was ciprofloxacin (84%). In addition, 18.1% of the patients received at least one course of intravenous antibiotherapy and 29.5% received more than three 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.