Surveillance and management practices in tracheotomy patients

Objectives/Hypothesis: To ascertain the surveillance and management practices for tracheotomy patients. Study Design: Survey of tracheotomy management. Methods: An electronically distributed 26‐question survey was distributed under the auspices of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Results: There were 478 responses. The mean number of years in practice was 21.2 years (standard deviation [SD], 11.0 years). Sixty‐five percent of respondents perform mainly adult tracheotomy. There is variation in surveillance patterns of immediate, postoperative, intermediate, and long‐term surveillance. On average, respondents follow a fresh tracheotomy daily for about 6 days, monthly for about 3 months, and long‐term surveillance every 4 months on average. Almost all respondents perform long‐term surveillance during routine tracheotomy changes; 61.4% perform this surveillance with an endoscope, and a minority rely on history and examination. The mean frequency of tracheotomy tube changes was 2 months (SD, 2.2 months; median, 1.1 month; range, 0.06–12 months). Two hundred sixty‐one respondents have or have used a decannulation algorithm. The vast majority, 96.2%, are comfortable with their current management practices. Over half of the respondents perceive value in a clinical practice guideline to help them with standardizing care, and 80% of respondents feel that it would assist other specialties in the care and surveillance of tracheotomy patients. Conclusions: There is marked variability in the surveillance and management of tracheotomy patients. There exists opportunity to improve care through standardization of surveillance and management of these patients. Laryngoscope, 122:46–50, 2012