Tracheotomy outcomes and complications: A national perspective

Abstract

This database study determined baseline data for the rate of complications (3.2%) for patients undergoing tracheotomy; it showed that only 80% of adult patients who underwent tracheotomy in the United States survived to discharge. Patients located in the Northeast, patients more than 50 years old, and patients with cardiac conditions were at particularly high risk for mortality. This study provides normative data for these outcomes for patient counseling and planning future quality improvement initiatives in this patient population.