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- Title
Management of Tracheostomy: A Survey of Dutch Intensive Care Units.
- Authors
Veelo, Denise P.; Schultz, Marcus J.; Phoa, Kai Y. N.; Dongelmans, Dave A.; Binnekade, Jan M.; Spronk, Peter E.
- Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine tracheostomy-management practices in Dutch intensive care units (ICUs) and post-ICU step-down facilities. METHODS: We surveyed the physician medical directors of all Dutch nonpediatric ICUs that have ^ 5 beds suitable for mechanical ventilation. The survey asked for demographic information about the hospital and ICU setting, and for information and opinions about tracheostomy management in the ICU and step-down facilities, and the use of tracheostomy-management guidelines. RESULTS: Forty-four of the 69 ICUs responded. Sixty-four percent of the respondent ICUs only deflate the cuff when the patient is breathing spontaneously, without assistance from the ventilator. Fifty-nine percent do not routinely change the tracheostomy tube. Almost half use inner cannulas in tracheostomy tubes. Overall, intensivists were most often involved in the follow-up of discharged tracheostomized patients. In the nonacademic hospitals, specialized ICU nurses were more often involved (P = .05). Sixty-four percent indicated they have no guideline for managing discbarged tracheostomized patients. There was a diversity of opinion (median visual-analog-scale score 5.0, 95% confidence interval 3.0 to 8.0) on whether the tracheostomy tube should be removed "at once" or after "down-sizing." CONCLUSIONS: There were large differences in tracheostomy management among Dutch ICUs. ICU and post-ICU tracheostomy-management guidelines are lacking and needed.
- Subjects
NETHERLANDS; TRACHEOTOMY; INTENSIVE care units; ARTIFICIAL respiration; MECHANICAL ventilators
- Publication
Respiratory Care, 2008, Vol 53, Issue 12, p1709
- ISSN
0020-1324
- Publication type
Article