title: The current practice of tracheostomy in the United Kingdom: a postal survey.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mallick
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom