Open AccessTracheostomy Considerations during the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Author(s) -
Shiba Travis,
Ghazizadeh Shabnam,
Chhetri Dinesh,
St. John Maie,
Long Jennifer
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
oto open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2473-974X
DOI - 10.1177/2473974x20922528
Subject(s) - pandemic , covid-19 , medicine , personal protective equipment , medical emergency , health care , intensive care medicine , disease , patient safety , deliberation , infectious disease (medical specialty) , political science , pathology , politics , law
Objective To compile current best practices regarding tracheostomy decision making, care, and technical performance during the global COVID‐19 pandemic. Data Sources Articles listed in PubMed and Google sources for up‐to‐date information. Review Methods All sources presenting objective evidence related to the topic were reviewed and distilled. Conclusions Tracheostomy in patients with coronavirus disease should be a rare event yet one that requires significant decision making and procedural deliberation. Indications for surgery must be balanced by risk of disease transmission to health care workers. Considerations are given to personal protective equipment, viral testing, and alternatives. Implications for Practice Otolaryngologists worldwide must be aware of these considerations to provide safe patient care without undue risk to themselves or their hospital coworkers.