Keeping patients safe during emergency tracheostomy management (June 2025)

Summary

A tracheostomy is a common procedure done for patients who need prolonged mechanical ventilation, are unable to protect their airway or have pathologies of the oropharynx leading to the potential for upper airway obstruction. While a tracheostomy is relatively safe, complications are common, and it is essential to understand the management steps to ensure that the patient’s tracheostomy functions as intended.

In a single centre study of 100 patients undergoing tracheostomy, the complication rate was 47% during the initial hospitalisation. The most common complications included obstruction of the tracheostomy (19%), bleeding (16%), infection (14%), and accidental decannulation (13%). While these complications are common, if managed appropriately, mortality directly related to the tracheostomy has a very low incidence.

This article in the Anaesthesia Patient Safety Foundation newsletter discusses how to keep patients safe during emergency tracheostomy management.