Table 1.

Key Questions Pertinent to Tracheostomy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure, should tracheostomy be offered to patients expected to require prolonged mechanical ventilation?

In patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure, should tracheostomy be performed early (within 7-10 d) or late (after 14-21 d)?

In patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure, should open or percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy be performed?

In patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure, does the use of PPE mitigate the tracheostomy-related risk of infection to HCWs?

In patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure, should tracheostomy be performed in the operating room or in the ICU room?

In patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure, should PCR testing be performed prior to tracheostomy?

In patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure, should tracheostomy be performed by a multidisciplinary team or a single specialty?

In patients with COVID-19-related respiratory failure who underwent tracheostomy, should standard posttracheostomy care be performed?

COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019; HCW = health-care worker; PCR = polymerase chain reaction; PPE = personal protective equipment.