Epidemiological profile and physiotherapeutic approach of tracheostomized patients in a general Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: Primary, to outline the profile of tracheostomy patients (TQT), secondary, to verify the most prevalent physiotherapeutic techniques in a General Intensive Care Unit. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study, including patients aged ≥ 18 years who agreed to participate through informed consent. Exclusion criteria involved those with prior emergency, metallic, and/or chronic tracheostomy. Data were collected from medical records, and in their absence, caregivers were contacted. Results: The majority were male (70.6%), aged ≥ 35 years (70.6%). Many were admitted due to altered level of consciousness (23.5%) and stroke (23.5%), with intubation-to-tracheostomy time of up to 14 days (76.5%). The procedure was mainly performed due to impaired consciousness (82.4%). The most prevalent outcome was overall improvement (68.8%), and the most used physiotherapeutic techniques were vibrocompression (100%) and positioning in bed (94.1%). Conclusion: Tracheostomized patients with up to 14 days of intubation tend to have better outcomes, emphasizing the role of the physiotherapist as motor and respiratory techniques contribute to overall patient improvement.