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Disclaimer | IntroductionThis site contains the resources developed and used by the UK National Tracheostomy Safety Project. The site is under extensive revision with the resources currently being finalised. We have collaborated widely with the key stakeholders in UK tracheostomy care and developed guidance by consensus. The draft resource documents and algorithms have been updated in Sept / Oct 2011 and will be published on a new website in Spring 2012. Current training and explanatory videos, along with electronic and printable resources are available by clicking the Emergency Guidelines & Resources link on the title bar at the top of the page. This site is aimed at healthcare professionals. If you are a patient, you may wish to look at specific patient-centred resources via our links section.
This work has recently been presented to the UK Difficult Airway Society, NPSA, UK Intensive Care Society, ENT UK, BAOMS and the RCN, amongst others, and will form form part of the
DAS projects portfolio. Click to read more about the project...This project was shortlisted for the HSJ Patient Safety Awards 2011. Click the link for more details
Supported by funding from the Intensive Care Society and Royal College of Anaesthetists
This site was designed in an attempt to improve the level of knowledge amongst healthcare professionals who deal with patients with tracheostomies. The guidance is aimed at patients who are in hospital - either on a general or specialist wards (such as ENT or Maxillofacial Units) or in Critical Care areas (High Dependancy or Intensive Care). The materials presented here aim to provide an information resource for those managing tracheostomy patients on a regular or irregular basis and to provide clear guidance of what to do if an emergency arises.
Please feel free to adapt and use these resources locally if you wish.You will need Flash Player 6™ or above to view some of the content. Click here to download.
Whilst this information has been collected and designed to help in clinical management, the authors do not accept any responsibility for any harm, loss or damage arising from actions or decisions based on the information contained within this website and associated publications. Ultimate responsibility for the treatment of patients and interpretation of these materials lies with the medical practitioner / user. The opinions expressed are those of the authors. The inclusion in this publication of material relating to a particular product or method does not amount to an endorsement of its value, quality, or the claims made by its manufacturer.
Tracheostomies in critical care and beyond
Tracheostomies are common procedures in critical care practice. They are also becoming more commonplace on the general wards of the hospital. This is partly due to pressures on intensive care beds and the increasing drive to de-escalate care quickly along with increasing numbers of patients benefiting from temporary tracheostomy. These groups include those with chronic respiratory or neurological problems. Increasing numbers of patients with tracheostomies are being cared for on wards outside the critical care infrastructure.
This has implications for the safety of patients who may be cared for on wards without the necessary competencies and experience to manage this challenging cohort and local measures need to be in place to ensure that safe routine and emergency care can be provided. This guide has evolved to provide information to those caring for patients with temporary or permanent tracheostomies either regularly or occasionally. It aims to provide basic background information and the rationale for tracheostomy care. We have also developed simple emergency guidelines for dealing with tracheostomy emergencies both in critical care and beyond.
