Outcomes After Tracheal Cannula Removal

Tracheostomy Decannulation Outcomes: A Longitudinal Observational Study

This longitudinal observational study involves an integrated knowledge translation (IKT) approach involving key stakeholders in the project team to evaluate the tracheostomy management in patients hospitalized in the Swiss Paraplegic Centre Nottwil (SPC).

Primary objective

- to evaluate the rate of physical complications (that require treatment, intubation, recannulation or lead to death) in patients hospitalized in the SPC over three months following the removal of the tracheal cannula (decannulation).

Secondary objectives

• to describe types of complications short-term (up to 4 days) and long-term (up to three months) post-decannulation
• to assess predictors for short- and long-term complications post-decannulation
• to explore patients' perspectives on decannulation outcomes
• to evaluate individual trajectories of the clinical decannulation protocol

Inclusion Criteria:

• at the time of recruitment, tracheotomized adult in-patients (≥ 18 years) of the SPC with any medical diagnosis
• decannulated in the Swiss Paraplegic Center Nottwil within the project's data collection period
• German, French, Italian or English as communication language
• study consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients for whom no decannulation is sought (e.g., due to degenerative illness)
• patients for whom decannulation is planned in a clinic other than the SPC (e.g., patients hospitalized in the SPC for weaning only)