Tracheostomy Teams Reduce Total Tracheostomy Time and Increase Speaking Valve Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Journal of Critical Care
Speed, L., & Harding, K. E. (2013).
Journal of Critical Care, 28(2), 216.e1-216.e10.
This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the effect of a multidisciplinary team management approach (e.g., a team of at least two health professionals including one allied health professional such as a speech-language pathologist) to a usual care approach on a variety of outcomes (e.g., failed decannulation, time tube in situ, adverse events, speaking valve use) in individuals with a temporary tracheostomy.
No funding received
Through July 2011
Peer-reviewed comparison studies
7
<div>Findings demonstrate that multidisciplinary tracheostomy teams were associated with:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>an 8-day reduction in total tracheostomy time;</li>
<li>a 14-day decrease in hospital length of stay when compared to usual care;</li>
<li>an non-significant reduction in ICU length of stay;</li>
<li>significant increases in speaking valve use (3 studies without meta-analysis).</li>
</ul>
<div>Of note, six out of seven studies included the involvement of at least one speech-language pathologist. Further research is warranted due to low methodological rigor, limited available research, and small sample sizes. </div>
</div>
