PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Divo, Miguel J.
AU  - Oberg, Catherine L.
AU  - Pritchett, Michael A.
AU  - Celli, Bartolome R.
AU  - Folch, Erik E.
TI  - Methods for a Seamless Transition from Tracheostomy to Spontaneous Breathing in COVID-19 Patients.
AID  - 10.4187/respcare.08157
DP  - 2020 Aug 05
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - respcare.08157
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/early/2020/08/05/respcare.08157.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/early/2020/08/05/respcare.08157.full
AB  - The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted healthcare delivery worldwide. A small, yet significant number of patients with respiratory failure will require prolonged mechanical ventilation while recovering from the viral-induced injury. The majority of reports thus far have focused on the epidemiology, clinical factors, and acute care of these patients, with less attention given to the recovery phase and care of those patients requiring extended time on mechanical ventilation. In this monograph, we review the procedures and methods to safely care for COVID-19 patients who require tracheostomy, gastrostomy, weaning from mechanical ventilation, and final decannulation. The guiding principles consist of modifications in the methods of airway care, to safely prevent iatrogenesis and promote safety in patients severely affected by COVID-19, including mitigation of aerosol generation to minimize risk for healthcare workers.