Creating a tool to help families make decisions about tracheostomy in the ICU
Official title: Developing a Novel Decision Aid for Tracheostomy to Support Shared Decision- Making in the Intensive Care Unit
Funded at Denver Health and Hospital Authority · NIH-10657564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make it easier for families to make decisions about tracheostomy procedures in the ICU by creating a helpful tool that addresses their specific questions and worries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Denver Health and Hospital Authority NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $162,497 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HL141704-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10657564 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients in the ICU who may require a tracheostomy and their surrogate decision-makers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in critical condition or do not require a tracheostomy will likely not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance shared decision-making for tracheostomy procedures in the intensive care unit (ICU) by developing a personalized decision aid. The approach involves conducting qualitative interviews with surrogate decision-makers to understand their needs and concerns, and using big data to create tailored prediction models for tracheostomy outcomes. The goal is to reduce confusion and frustration among families faced with critical decisions regarding their loved ones' care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved decision-making experiences for families, resulting in better alignment between patient care goals and treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that decision aids can significantly improve shared decision-making processes in healthcare settings, indicating a promising approach for this project.
Where this research is happening
-
Denver Health and Hospital Authority
Denver, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehta, Anuj — Denver Health and Hospital Authority
- Study coordinator: Mehta, Anuj
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.