• Taylor C Standiford, Janice L Farlow, Michael J Brenner, Ross Blank, Venkatakrishna Rajajee, Noel R Baldwin, Steven B Chinn, Jessica A Cusac, Jose De Cardenas, Kelly M Malloy, Kelli L McDonough, Lena M Napolitano, Michael W Sjoding, Emily K Stoneman, Laraine L Washer, and Pauline K Park.
• Taylor C. Standiford is a second-year resident, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco.
• Am. J. Crit. Care. 2022 Nov 1; 31 (6): 452460452-460.

BackgroundTracheostomies are highly aerosolizing procedures yet are often indicated in patients with COVID-19 who require prolonged intubation. Robust investigations of the safety of tracheostomy protocols and provider adherence and evaluations are limited.ObjectivesTo determine the rate of COVID-19 infection of health care personnel involved in COVID-19 tracheostomies under a multidisciplinary safety protocol and to investigate health care personnel's attitudes and suggested areas for improvement concerning the protocol.MethodsAll health care personnel involved in tracheostomies in COVID-19-positive patients from April 9 through July 11, 2020, were sent a 22-item electronic survey.ResultsAmong 107 health care personnel (80.5%) who responded to the survey, 5 reported a positive COVID-19 test result (n = 2) or symptoms of COVID-19 (n = 3) within 21 days of the tracheostomy. Respondents reported 100% adherence to use of adequate personal protective equipment. Most (91%) were familiar with the tracheostomy protocol and felt safe (92%) while performing tracheostomy. Suggested improvements included creating dedicated tracheostomy teams and increasing provider choices surrounding personal protective equipment.ConclusionsMultidisciplinary engagement in the development and implementation of a COVID-19 tracheostomy protocol is associated with acceptable safety for all members of the care team.©2022 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

7 keywords...

hide…