Table 1.

Key findings

Liberation from ventilation	Protocolised weaning and high-flow oxygen may improve weaning outcomes. Automatic tube compensation mode may reduce additional work of breathing, compared with other modes.
Cuff management	Early cuff deflation promotes vocalisation and swallowing, and may reduce length of stay, time to decannulation and risk of nosocomial pneumonia.
Tracheostomy change and revision	Early tube changes may be associated with earlier use of speaking valves, oral intake and shorter ICU stays.
Optimisation of speech and communication	In-line speaking valves may improve gas distribution and alveolar recruitment. Speech and communication significantly impact on patient quality of life.
Optimisation of swallow	Swallowing physiology can be adversely affected by high cuff pressures. Despite most patients commencing oral intake with tracheostomies in situ, only 40% commence oral intake while in ICU.

ICU, intensive care unit.