Previous taskforce recommendation | Current (revised) taskforce recommendation | |
---|---|---|
Covid transmission risk | Suspected to be low only after the patient tested negative with RT-PCR (regardless of time/duration of symptoms) | Evidence suggests being low if > 20 days from initial symptom onset/initial positive COVID RT-PCR test and > 2 weeks of mechanical ventilation. |
Vaccination status | N/A | If available, vaccination of surgical/anesthetic/HCW team involved. |
Surgical technique | Preference for open tracheotomy | Open or percutaneous tracheotomy appear to have similar outcomes and risks to the patient and HCWs involved. |