The Parkland 12-Minute Checklist Tracheotomy

To validate the surgical time and propose a new checklist or algorithm to execute a tracheotomy within 12 minutes with optimal outcomes.

The authors designed and implemented a checklist method for tracheotomy based on 6 consecutive patients with respiratory failure and prolonged intubation in a medical intensive care unit. The primary outcome variable was surgical time for a tracheotomy performed by a fifth- or sixth-year resident under the supervision of the senior author (M.Z.).

Six consecutive patients undergoing tracheotomy (mean, 48 yr; range, 24 to 55 yr; 4 men and 2 women) were included in the study. The average time recorded from the incision to correct insertion of the tracheotomy tube and confirmation of carbon dioxide return by the anesthesiologist was 10.66 minutes (range, 8 to 12 minutes).

This checklist facilitates the execution of a time-efficient and safe tracheotomy in less than 12 minutes.