Abstract

Background: Pediatric tracheostomy care requires specialized knowledge and clinical competence to avoid life-threatening complications. Maintaining airway patency, managing tracheostomy-related issues, and ensuring patient safety are all crucial responsibilities for nurses.
Method: This cross-sectional study assessed nurses' knowledge, practical abilities, and treatment of tracheostomy ostomy-related problems in a pediatric hospital in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. A validated questionnaire measuring theoretical knowledge (44 items), practical abilities (7 items), and complication management (32 items) was completed by 97 nurses in total. The associations between competency scores and demographic characteristics were examined using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.
Result: The average knowledge score was 26.1 ± 4.49 (out of 44), skills score was 3.79 ± 1.11 (out of 7), and management score was 14.6 ± 3.18 (out of 32), showing moderate but insufficient competency. Higher knowledge scores (p = 0.016) and management scores (p = 0.023) were substantially correlated with higher academic credentials. Nurses in the pediatric or neonatal intensive care units showed significantly higher management scores (p = 0.003). There was no significant association identified between comfort level and demographic variables. A moderate positive association was found between knowledge and management scores (r = 0.485, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate significant gaps in nurses' knowledge and practical competence for pediatric tracheostomy care. Structured educational modalities, particularly simulation-based training programs, are indicated for increasing clinical competence, improving patient safety, and lowering tracheostomy-related complications.

Key words: Tracheostomy; knowledge; Nursing competency; Airway management; Patient safety.