PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Charles G Durbin, Jr
TI  - Indications for and Timing of Tracheostomy
DP  - 2005 Apr 01
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - 483--487
VI  - 50
IP  - 4
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/50/4/483.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/50/4/483.full
AB  - Tracheostomy is one of the most common intensive care unit procedures performed. The advantages include patient comfort, safety, ability to communicate, and better oral and airway care. Patients may have shorter intensive care unit stays, days of mechanical ventilation, and hospital stays. There are risks, long-term and acute, and the timing of when to do a tracheostomy must be individualized. As soon as the need for prolonged airway access is identified, the tracheostomy should be considered. Generally, this decision can be made within 7–10 days. Bedside techniques allow rapid tracheostomy with low morbidity.