Risk Factors for Futile Tracheostomy: An Analysis of the NIS Database

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory insufficiency and failure are leading causes of ICU admissions. Advances in medical technology allow prolonging of survival in critical illnesses. Hence, more tracheostomies are being performed. However, we are limited in predicting who may actually benefit. Our goal was to determine prognostic indicators of early mortality after tracheostomy in order to avoid futile procedures.