TRACH-Support: A Conversation Tool for Tracheostomy and Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Tracheostomy and prolonged mechanical ventilation decisions can be very hard for family and friends. It is important to remember that tracheostomy decisions are not just about the surgery itself about also about the possibility of needing life support for a long time. The outcomes described in this conversation tool are only averages. Some of the patients that return home may recover and be able to do the things they used to do. However, others that return home may require a lot of help for even simple tasks or may even be on hospice. This tool cannot predict functional recovery, but it is an important topic to talk about with the medical team.

Your job as the surrogate is to make the best decision you think the patient would have made. You should ask the medical team all your questions. You can ask about their thoughts about the chances for recovery, what recovery might look like, rehabilitation hospitals, and anything else that you think is important.