Introduction

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) is impacting hospital care worldwide. The major morbidity associated with COVID 19 is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which in severe condition requires ventilatory support [1]. In prolonged ventilation and weaning, tracheostomy holds an important element of care. Otolaryngologists play a major role in performing tracheostomy during this pandemic. Tracheostomy as an aerosol generating procedure, is associated with increased risk of viral infection to the otolaryngologists [2]. Various guidelines and recommendations on safe practice for tracheostomy procedure are available since lockdown but the implementation of those amongst the otolaryngologists is not studied so far. Therefore, we decided to conduct a nationwide survey amongst the ear, nose and throat specialists to analyse the lacunae in tracheostomy practices during this COVID times and suggest a systematic approach for the safe practices.

Methods

It was an online questionnaire survey-based study done in the month of September 2020. The target population was practicing otolaryngologists of India with various years of experience. The aim of the study was to evaluate the lacunae in tracheostomy safe practice and to create a systematic approach for safety of the health care workers. By using google form engine, an anonymous survey questionnaire was designed to study the practice patterns of ENT surgeons for tracheostomy in the COVID-19 situation. The questionnaire (Images 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) was in English language and contained 16 multiple choice questions which were mandatory and 2 optional questions regarding the specific topic they would wish to learn and their email contact details for further communication. It was then sent to the randomly selected otolaryngologists practising in India via email, text message, various social media platforms i.e. WhatsApp and Facebook groups of otolaryngologists with an online link of the survey. Online access to the questionnaire was available from 1st September 2020 to 15th September 2020. Data compilation and analysis were done using Microsoft Excel. A systematic COVID TIDE tracheostomy safe practice approach was designed after reviewing various tracheostomy recommendations and guidelines published by international societies of otolaryngology, which can be practiced in India. Since the COVID situation and recommendations are evolving, few of the recommendations may change later.

Results

A total of 114 ENT doctors responded with a complete survey report.

81.6% responders said that they have performed the tracheostomy in the last 6 months. 69.3% checked the COVID status of the patient before performing the procedure. Only 25.4% responded that they have performed this procedure on COVID positive cases and for 14.9% responders, the status was unknown.

While asking about their up to date knowledge regarding tracheostomy safe practices in COVID Positive patients, surprisingly 72.2% responded with no and I don’t know responses, only 29.8% responders said yes. In response to the question regarding the place of the tracheostomy procedure 68.4% said operation theatres, 23.7% and 7.9% said ICU and emergency room respectively.

While asking about the tracheostomy procedure in the negative pressure room, 79.8% responders said no, only 20.2% responded yes. 61.4% were using the level 3 PPE for this procedure and 15.8% were not aware of what PPE level they were using. Inquiring about the mask protection 55.3% responded for N95 and surgical masks in combination, 36% were using only N95 masks, 5.3% were using only surgical masks and surprisingly only 3.5% were using PAPR.

Regarding viral filters usage on endotracheal (ET) tubes before connecting to the ventilator, only 32.5% responders  said yes, 44.7% said no and 22.8% said they did not know about this step. Similarly, the usage of heat moisture exchanger (HME) filters on tracheostomy were practiced only by 21.1% responders.

While asking about the usage of neuromuscular blockade agents for complete paralysis of the patient, 50% said yes, 30.7% responded no and 19.3% said they did not know.

Inquiring about holding the ventilation before giving the tracheal incision only 56.1% responder said yes. Regarding clamping of ET tube before withdrawal, surprisingly only 25.4% were following this step. The use of non-fenestrated cuffed tubes were practised only by 66.7% responders. We asked if they would like to know more about safe practices during tracheostomy procedure and post-operative care, 94.7% responders said yes.

About 33 individual comments were entered for specific topics or steps that they would like to learn about this procedure. A few extracts from individual responses are stated like, “percutaneous tracheostomy in COVID era, post op care in tracheostomy patients in COVID era, about viral filters in tracheostomy, role of anaesthetist in different steps of tracheostomy, tracheostomy till tube insertion and special COVID precautions during tracheostomy”. 74 responders out of 114 shared their mail address for further communication in this regard.

Discussion

Though the various guidelines and protocols are available since June 2020 [3,4,5,6,7] the survey results are surprising as 72% survey responders were not confident about their knowledge. No surveys have been conducted solely to address this issue though the various tracheostomy guidelines have come up during these crises. Our study data was collected from 114 ENT surgeons from India; however, it has served the purpose of the survey. After reviewing various guidelines and recommendations, a systematic COVID TIDE approach was formed as described in Image 1.

Image 1
figure 1

A systematic COVID TIDE approach

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Covering Guidelines

Ideal recommendations for tracheostomy procedure are full PPE (with FFP3/FFP2 mask, fluid repellent full covered gown, head cover, shoe cover, gloves, face shield with eye protection) [8] but despite wearing N 95 respirators during SARS pandemic some health care workers acquired the disease so the use of powered air purifying respirators(PAPR) was recommended by some clinicians [5, 8,9,10]. In spite of such recommendations, in our series PAPR user number was only 3.5%.

Operation Theatre Planning

There should be dedicated COVID theatre. The ideal recommendations are negative pressure theatre or isolation room [5]. Though in our survey we found that 78.9% surgeons were not performing this procedure in a negative pressure room. Consider a normal theatre with closed doors if the negative pressure room is not available.

Limited staff should be permitted inside the theatre. Availability of viral filters for endotracheal tube & for tracheostomy tube is recommended [10] but surprisingly in our survey only 32.5% responders were aware of filter usage.

Ventilator Precautions

Suction of endotracheal tube/ Sub glottic port is recommended prior to the shifting of the patient to operation theatre. A close communication between anaesthesia and surgical team is necessary. Ventilation precaution should be taken during the table shift of the patient too. (Image 2).

Image 2
figure 2

Ventilation precautions during table shift

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The ventilation pause is a very critical step and should be done just before giving the incision over the trachea. The ventilation can be resumed once the tube position is confirmed with EtCO2 and the cuff is inflated. (Image 3). Further the disinfection of the ventilators should be followed as per the guidelines of infection control department of the hospital.

Image 3
figure 3

Ventilation hold before tracheal incision till the tube position is confirmed by capnography

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Incision Precautions

During open tracheostomy procedure, neuromuscular blockade should be given to reduce the cough reflex and movements, which was followed only by 50% responders according to our survey report. Stay sutures should be placed for paediatric cases before giving the incision. Consider clamping of ET tube before creating the tracheal window. Ensure to create a sufficient size tracheal window for easy insertion of the tube [9]. To prevent air leak and aerosol, the cuffed non fenestrated tracheostomy tube is preferred. An empty syringe should be attached to the tracheostomy tube. Immediately inflate the cuff once the position of the tube is confirmed and then reattach the circuit [5, 7] but again this was followed by 56.1% responders only. Hold the ventilation as described previously and shown in Image 4 as well.

Image 4
figure 4

Steps for ventilation pause

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Doffing Protocol

Appropriate donning and doffing of PPE is the crucial step for prevention of contamination. Look for the tear or blood stains over the gown. There should be a dedicated doffing zone to prevent cross contamination. Strict adherence to the proper protocol and buddy check can avoid the risk of self-contamination while doffing [8, 10].

Tube Change Care

The usual tube care is not replaced in COVID cases too. (Image 5) The limited number of experienced staff should be involved in post tracheostomy care to avoid aerosol contamination. Regarding first tube change, majority of recommendations are in the favor of between 14 and 21 days or until patient is negative for COVID 19 testing [3, 11, 12].

Image 5
figure 5

Steps for post tracheostomy care

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While performing tracheostomy care, cuff deflation and tracheostomy dressing should be avoided unless necessary to minimise aerosol generation. Tracheostomy care should be performed with the enhanced PPE with utilisation of closed in line suction, HME filters and inflated cuff system. The frequency of tube change should be minimised to 2–3 months interval unless clinical emergency [13]. The inner cannula of the tube can be changed every 72 h [14] (Images 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

Image 6
figure 6

Questionnaire part 1

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Image 7
figure 7

Questionnaire part 2

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Image 8
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Questionnaire part 3

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Image 9
figure 9

Questionnaire part 4

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Image 10
figure 10

Questionnaire part 5

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Image 11
figure 11

Questionnaire part 6

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In Line Closed Suction

Always use in line closed suction catheter system regardless of mechanical ventilation requirements [13].

Decannulation

Local expertise and protocols should be followed. Droplet precautions are the minimal requirement to be followed while decannulating the patient to prevent aerosol contamination [15].

Expert Airway Team

A dedicated and experienced COVID airway team should be formed who can perform such procedures effectively with minimal risk to health care workers and the patient. Standardized COVID 19 tracheostomy simulation training might improve the health care professionals safety as well as the confidence in performing such procedures [15, 16].

Conclusion

The number of COVID positive patients are increasing day by day. The critically ill patients requiring ventilation support is the major burden to the hospital and the health care professionals. To facilitate the recovery time, tracheostomy is needed. With our study we concluded that in spite of various guidelines and available recommendations, the survey responders were still not confident in safe practices for tracheostomy procedure. To overcome this, we have created an easy to remember COVID TIDE approach in tracheostomy safe practice. After following COVID TIDE approach, our tertiary care centre with high volume COVID positive patient load performed this procedure efficiently and the risk of transmission is not found so far. This systematic approach is easy to follow and reproducible.