Infectivity of COVID-19 patients at the time of tracheostomy [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the relationship between infectivity, PCR and Antibody testing at the time of tracheostomy
IRAS ID
283590
Contact name
Neil Tolley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 17 days
Research summary
COVID-19 patients requiring prolonged periods of ventilation may require a surgical tracheostomy to aid ventilator weaning and avoid other complications of long-term intubation of the upper airway. Traditionally, tracheostomy is performed no longer than 10 days post intubation, however, the present COVID-19 guidelines are recommending at least 2 weeks or longer. At the present time this has negative consequences on ventilator capacity, which is a great concern for new patients with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) who might otherwise have favourable outcomes. We aim to determine the infectivity of these patients at the time of surgical tracheostomy so that the surgeons can safely perform this procedure.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EM/0152
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion