The current practice of tracheostomy in the United Kingdom: a postal survey

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Summary A postal questionnaire was sent to 228 intensive care units throughout the United Kingdom to determine aspects of current tracheostomy practice. From the number of units responding ( n = 178, 78%), the majority ( n = 173, 97%) practised percutaneous tracheostomy as opposed to open surgical tracheostomy. The Blue Rhino single dilator was the most popular technique ( n = 114, 64%). Percutaneous tracheostomy is increasingly carried out under bronchoscopic guidance ( n = 148, 83%); however, there remains considerable variation in the timing of tracheostomy and only 61 units (34%) have set follow‐up procedures.