Tracheostomy Practices in Adult Intensive Care Units: A Multicenter Point-Prevalence Study in Izmir (IZ-TRACH)

The primary objective of this study was to determine the point-prevalence of tracheostomy in adult intensive care units (ICUs) in Izmir and to characterize the documented reasons for postponement of tracheostomy, with attention to family-related deferral. Secondary objectives included tracheostomy indications, techniques, complications, timing, the relationship between illness severity (APACHE II) and mortality, and short-term outcomes. This multicenter, descriptive point-prevalence study was conducted across eleven adult ICUs in six hospitals on September 8, 2025. Of 282 adult patients present on the index day, 46 had a tracheostomy and formed the analytic subgroup. The study aimed to provide observational data on how tracheostomy is managed in a real-world clinical setting, focusing on the decision-making process and clinical characteristics associated with patient mortality.