Study Comparing Nutrition Approaches Around Tracheostomy Surgery in Critically Ill Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the timing of nutrition in critically ill patients undergoing tracheostomy surgery. This study aims to find out if continuing nutrition up to the time of surgery reduces interruptions in feeding and increases food intake without raising the risk of aspiration pneumonia or lung infections. The study addresses the lack of evidence for current fasting guidelines, which may not be suitable for intubated critical care patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will continue receiving enteral feeding until the time of tracheostomy, while the other group will have enteral feeding withheld at least six hours before surgery. This comparison seeks to determine if uninterrupted feeding improves nutritional intake without increasing lung-related complications. During the study, researchers will monitor participants for seven days after the tracheostomy, assessing the rate of aspiration pneumonia as the main outcome. They will also measure the volume of tube feeding delivered from consent until the study ends. The study involves intensive care patients who are intubated and require tracheostomy, with careful tracking of nutrition delivery and lung health throughout the trial.

PUSH-IT Continuing Enteral Feeds for Tracheostomy