ABSTRACT

To present the patient’s problems at home and the way of the solution in patients discharged for home care with tracheostomy.

30 patients discharged from intensive care unit (ICU) between 2004-2010 years, were examined retrospectively. Patients were divided three groups as cerebrovascular accident (CVA), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) acute exacerbation and the others, according to the diagnosis on admission. A Glasgow coma scores (GCS), mechanical ventilation (MV) support, survive at home, clinical problems at home, and cause of the death were recorded.

80% of patients were discharged with MV. 23% of the patients are still alive. A total mortality rates were 92.8% in CVA, 66.6% in COPD acute exacerbation groups and 57.1% in the others. The survival time at home was significant correlate with GCS and patient’s age (p<0.05). The most frequent cause of the mortality at home was the airway problems.

The most important reason of the home mortality was airway and MV problems. To reduce these problems, the clinician must visit the patients more frequently. We belive that the clinicians must consider again, about the advantage-disadvantage on discharging of these patients for home care. (Journal of the Turkish Society Intensive Care 2011; 9: 99-102)

Keywords: Tracheostomy, home care, mechanical ventilation