Abstract
Tracheostomy is one of the most commonly conducted procedures in critically ill patients. However even a temporary tracheostomy has risks which include the life-threatening complications of obstruction and displacement. This survey examined the use of temporary tracheostomies by critical care clinicians in the UK. The results suggest that although progress is being made, practice relating to temporary tracheostomy varies considerably as do the governance arrangements that underpin it. In the absence of national guidance, clinicians need to review their operational policies relating to patients with a temporary tracheostomy, including choice of tracheostomy tube, education and training of relevant staff and governance arrangements underpinning patient care in all clinical areas caring for patients with tracheostomies.