‘Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.’ - Victor Hugo
Dear Readers,
The publication of the inaugural issue of Tracheostomy, Official Journal of the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative (GTC) recalls the immortal words of Victor Hugo. Over a decade ago, the GTC ignited a spark of innovation fueled by key drivers that led to a global paradigm shift in tracheostomy care. Led by trailblazers, the collaborative placed patients and families at its center and catalyzed change across hospitals and health systems. The collaborative organized international symposia and leveraged data-driven practices of implementation science methodologies to effect change. But a question arose: Why is there no dedicated journal as an academic home for peer-reviewed science in tracheostomy care?
As the modern patient safety movement to improve tracheostomy care unfolded, it became clear that the scholarship of tracheostomy care was as fragmented as tracheostomy care itself. Much as poor coordination of tracheostomy care has stymied progress in patient care, so too has the scattering of literature on tracheostomy care impeded efforts to share integrated and coherent approaches. Recognizing this need, the vision of an international peer-reviewed journal on tracheostomy care was born. As the global community was shaken by the pandemic, the GTC rose to the occasion providing the most authoritative and heavily cited recommendations on tracheostomy care.
Tracheostomy journal is an idea whose time has come. Drawing on a learning community of over 10,000 members, a database with over 10,000 prospectively tracked patients, and the world’s most progressive interprofessional clinicians, the GTC is the thought leader in tracheostomy care. Tracheostomy signifies a shift in science and practice of tracheostomy care from an adjunct to treatment to an interprofessional discipline worthy of rigorous investigation in its own right. The journal serves as a forum for scholarly discourse on best practices and a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and shared experiences. This achievement reflects countless hours of collaborative effort by our contributors and community.
Our first issue presents a curated selection of works that capture our ethos of improving the care, understanding, and treatment of patients with a tracheostomy. The issue opens with a report of a national initiative from Wales, United Kingdom by Twose et al., describing the TRACHES Toolkit, a digital initiative to improve tracheostomy-related education and care across hospital settings. This initiative’s success not only highlights the potential of innovative educational strategies but also establishes a benchmark for future healthcare education endeavors.
A second quality improvement project, Online Interprofessional Tracheostomy Education Program by Morris et al., investigates caregiver confidence and proficiency in tracheostomy care, demonstrating how online digital platforms can bridge gaps in knowledge, particularly when integrated with simulation. The work affords insights into how the path to mastery of critical care skills may entail a blend of digital and hands-on approaches.
Three additional works featured in this issue reflect the breadth of science and art in tracheostomy care, including a randomized clinical trial, a systematic review, and a poem on patient are. The original investigation titled In-line Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation by Be’eri et al., affords a glimpse into the future of automated non-invasive secretion management. This trial compared traditional methods to a novel approach with the prospect of a safer, more comfortable alternative for ventilated patients. The systematic review, Enhancing Communication in Critically Ill Patients, by Gentile et al., explores the critical role of communication for intensive care unit patients with a tracheostomy. Lastly, the poem From Apathy to Empathy, shares how deeply personal journeys can intersect with our professional work and transform our pursuit of excellence in patient care.
Tracheostomy is thus a scientific and humanistic endeavor that invites healthcare professionals to embrace new knowledge, to challenge the status quo, and to approach each patient with the empathy. The journal brings together the expertise of diverse professionals and amplifies patient and family voices. We welcome you to this vibrant community and hope that this inaugural issue will inform and inspire you to share your own research, quality improvement initiatives, and insights. On behalf of the editorial team and our contributors, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your support and readership. Cheers to the journey ahead of discovery, learning, and compassionate care.
Warmest regards,
Vinciya Pandian and Michael J Brenner
Editors-in-Chief, Tracheostomy
