Tracheostomy care for adults and the elderly in the home environment: a scoping review.

Objective: To map out scientific knowledge regarding tracheostomy care for adults and the elderly carried out by individuals, famies or caregivers in home environments.

Method: Scoping review, conducted in February 2023, according to the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The guiding question was: what and how should adult/elderly tracheostomy care be carried out by the individual/family/caregiver in the home environment? Studies published in Portuguese, English and Spanish were considered. The databases consulted were: Lilacs; Medline, via PubMed; Cinahl; Cochrane Library; PEDro; Embase; Scopus and Web of Science.

Results: 2158 articles were identified, of which 81 were read in full and 14 included in the review. The main types of care identified included psychobiological needs: airway suction, changing the tracheostomy attachment, cleaning the endocannula and sanitizing the peristomal skin. As for psychosocial needs, incentives for communication and autonomy were identified. There were no recommendations for care related to psychospiritual needs.

Conclusion: The findings prioritize biological care, few studies have detailed how to carry out such care at home.