Expressions of interest wanted for emergency tracheostomy algorithms working group

20 March 2025 (Last updated: 20 Mar 2025 16:39)

The National Tracheostomy Safety Project (NTSP) is in the process of establishing a short-life working group led by the NSTP and the Difficult Airway Society. The group's purpose is to update its emergency algorithms for managing tracheostomy emergencies, and it is looking for input from ENT UK members.

The original algorithms were published in 2012 (McGrath et al Anaesthesia 67(9):1024- 41) and were supported and endorsed by several key stakeholder organisations, including ENT UK. The emergency algorithms and supporting resources are used globally, with the website getting 35,000 visits per month from staff and patients worldwide. The NTSP is now looking to review and update these algorithms, in line with advances in airway management and evolution in practice, with input from key stakeholders for 12 months starting in May 2025. This includes active input from professionals, patients, families and carers, and whilst this project is UK-focussed, it will involve review from international experts through the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative.

The project will be undertaken under the governance structures of the NTSP and Difficult Airway Society. Both groups will provide limited funding to support travel to face-to-face meetings, however, the bulk of the work can be undertaken remotely. If you would like to be involved, please send your expression of interest to education@entuk.org by Friday 4 April.