Ferrer Gustavo, Alas-Pineda César, Manara Viviane, Tesch Mari, Gaitán-Zambrano Kristhel, Pavón-Varela Dennis J
Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Aventura, USA.
Department of Analytics, Ferrer Pulmonary Institute, Hallandale Beach, USA.
Cureus. 2025 Jan 1;17(1):e76748. doi: 10.7759/cureus.76748. eCollection 2025 Jan.
Objective This study aims to assess the impact of tracheal visualization on weaning success among tracheostomized patients in skilled and long-term care facilities, highlighting its role in reducing complications and enhancing clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on tracheostomized patients residing in skilled nursing homes in Florida between 2018 and 2023. The study included individuals aged 18 years or older with established tracheostomies. Routine tracheal visualization techniques were used to confirm tube placement, evaluate tracheal health, and detect complications such as infections, inflammation, or obstructions. Results Among the 21 patients analyzed, a weaning success rate of 23.8% was observed. Patients who successfully weaned had fewer comorbidities and higher tracheal health scores compared to those who did not. Routine tracheal visualization reduced complications related to tube malposition and facilitated timely interventions, such as correcting tube displacement or managing airway obstructions. Conclusions This study underscores the significance of incorporating tracheal visualization into care protocols for tracheostomized patients, especially in skilled nursing and long-term care settings. Future research should focus on developing standardized protocols to improve care quality and ensure patient safety, particularly in resource-constrained environments.
目的 本研究旨在评估气管可视化对熟练护理和长期护理机构中气管切开患者脱机成功的影响，突出其在减少并发症和改善临床结局方面的作用。方法 对2018年至2023年期间居住在佛罗里达州熟练护理院的气管切开患者进行了一项回顾性观察研究。该研究纳入了年龄在18岁及以上且已行气管切开术的个体。采用常规气管可视化技术来确认导管位置、评估气管健康状况，并检测感染、炎症或阻塞等并发症。结果 在分析的21例患者中，观察到脱机成功率为23.8%。与未成功脱机的患者相比，成功脱机的患者合并症较少，气管健康评分较高。常规气管可视化减少了与导管位置不当相关的并发症，并促进了及时干预，如纠正导管移位或处理气道阻塞。结论 本研究强调了将气管可视化纳入气管切开患者护理方案的重要性，尤其是在熟练护理和长期护理环境中。未来的研究应侧重于制定标准化方案，以提高护理质量并确保患者安全，特别是在资源有限的环境中。
