Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Protocol for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center Experience

Introduction. The rapidly spreading Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) appeared to be a highly transmissible pathogen in healthcare environments and had resulted in a significant number of patients with respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy, an aerosol-generating procedure that places healthcare...

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Main Authors: Ziad Boujaoude, Nagendra Madisi, Bhavi Patel, Jean-Sebastien Rachoin, R. Phillip Dellinger, Wissam Abouzgheib
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Pulmonary Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8815925
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author Ziad Boujaoude
Nagendra Madisi
Bhavi Patel
Jean-Sebastien Rachoin
R. Phillip Dellinger
Wissam Abouzgheib
author_facet Ziad Boujaoude
Nagendra Madisi
Bhavi Patel
Jean-Sebastien Rachoin
R. Phillip Dellinger
Wissam Abouzgheib
author_sort Ziad Boujaoude
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. The rapidly spreading Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) appeared to be a highly transmissible pathogen in healthcare environments and had resulted in a significant number of patients with respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy, an aerosol-generating procedure that places healthcare workers at high risk of contracting the infection. Instead of deferring or delaying the procedure, we developed and implemented a novel percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) protocol aimed at minimizing the risk of transmission while maintaining favorable procedural outcome. Patients and Methods. All patients who underwent PDT per novel protocol were included in the study. The key element of the protocol was the use of apnea during the critical part of the insertion and upon any opening of the ventilator circuit. This was coupled with the use of enhanced personnel protection equipment (PPE) with a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR). The operators underwent antibody serology testing and were evaluated for COVID-19 symptoms two weeks from the last procedure included in the study. Results. Between March 12th and June 30th, 2020, a total of 32 patients underwent PDT per novel protocol. The majority (80%) were positive for COVID-19 at the time of the procedure. The success rate was 94%. Only one patient developed minor self-limited bleeding. None of the proceduralists developed positive serology or any symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection. Conclusion. A novel protocol that uses periods of apnea during opening of the ventilator circuit along with PAPR-enhanced PPE for PDT on COVID-19 patients appears to be effective and safe for patients and healthcare providers.
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spelling doaj-art-0eab1a618a7142a3bc6a0b2cdb413ebe2025-08-20T03:54:24ZengWileyPulmonary Medicine2090-18362090-18442021-01-01202110.1155/2021/88159258815925Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Protocol for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center ExperienceZiad Boujaoude0Nagendra Madisi1Bhavi Patel2Jean-Sebastien Rachoin3R. Phillip Dellinger4Wissam Abouzgheib5Division of Pulmonary and Interventional Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USADivision of Pulmonary and Interventional Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USADivision of Pulmonary and Interventional Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USADivision of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USADivision of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USADivision of Pulmonary and Interventional Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USAIntroduction. The rapidly spreading Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) appeared to be a highly transmissible pathogen in healthcare environments and had resulted in a significant number of patients with respiratory failure requiring tracheostomy, an aerosol-generating procedure that places healthcare workers at high risk of contracting the infection. Instead of deferring or delaying the procedure, we developed and implemented a novel percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) protocol aimed at minimizing the risk of transmission while maintaining favorable procedural outcome. Patients and Methods. All patients who underwent PDT per novel protocol were included in the study. The key element of the protocol was the use of apnea during the critical part of the insertion and upon any opening of the ventilator circuit. This was coupled with the use of enhanced personnel protection equipment (PPE) with a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR). The operators underwent antibody serology testing and were evaluated for COVID-19 symptoms two weeks from the last procedure included in the study. Results. Between March 12th and June 30th, 2020, a total of 32 patients underwent PDT per novel protocol. The majority (80%) were positive for COVID-19 at the time of the procedure. The success rate was 94%. Only one patient developed minor self-limited bleeding. None of the proceduralists developed positive serology or any symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection. Conclusion. A novel protocol that uses periods of apnea during opening of the ventilator circuit along with PAPR-enhanced PPE for PDT on COVID-19 patients appears to be effective and safe for patients and healthcare providers.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8815925
spellingShingle Ziad Boujaoude
Nagendra Madisi
Bhavi Patel
Jean-Sebastien Rachoin
R. Phillip Dellinger
Wissam Abouzgheib
Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Protocol for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center Experience
Pulmonary Medicine
title Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Protocol for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center Experience
title_full Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Protocol for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center Experience
title_fullStr Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Protocol for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center Experience
title_full_unstemmed Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Protocol for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center Experience
title_short Safety and Feasibility of a Novel Protocol for Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to COVID-19 Infection: A Single Center Experience
title_sort safety and feasibility of a novel protocol for percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in patients with respiratory failure due to covid 19 infection a single center experience
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8815925
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