Elective tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients: experience with a standardized interdisciplinary approach

Abstract

Experience with an interdisciplinary SOP (standard operating procedure) for tracheostomy (TS) in COVID-19 patients, taking into account the general national and international recommendations, is reported. The operative timing of TS due to prolonged invasive ventilation and frustrating weaning attempts was determined on an interdisciplinary level and involved phases of both high and low disease activity. Five TS were performed in patients with an average age of 70.6 years. In addition to the standard COVID-19 protective measures for medical staff to avoid nosocomial COVID-19 infection, SOP-supported communication during the TS leads to periprocedural safety for all involved. COVID-19 infections among medical staff in the departments involved are not yet known.