The tracheostomy clinical nurse specialist: an essential member of the multidisciplinary team.
BACKGROUND
Tracheostomies are a common procedure within the specialties of otolaryngology and intensive care. The ENT department at Monklands Hospital has developed the position of tracheostomy clinical nurse specialist to improve the management of tracheostomy patients. There is evidence to support the development of a multidisciplinary team for the management of tracheostomy patients following intensive care unit treatment; however, the creation of a specific tracheostomy clinical nurse specialist position has not been widely endorsed in the literature.


OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the role of the tracheostomy clinical nurse specialist, advocating this position within the multidisciplinary team.
Department of Otolaryngology, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, Scotland, UK.
R
R
Crosbie
Department of Otolaryngology, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, Scotland, UK.
J
J
Cairney
Department of Otolaryngology, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, Scotland, UK.
N
N
Calder
D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000451:nursing*