Mehta AB, et al. - Researchers conducted this retrospective cohort study to determine 1-year patient outcomes and healthcare utilization following tracheostomy to assist in decision-making and resource allocation. The study sample consisted of nonsurgical patients who received a tracheostomy for acute respiratory failure. During the study period, 8,343 tracheostomies were identified. Long-term outcomes following tracheostomy are extremely poor, particularly among older patients, with high mortality, morbidity, and use of health resource. Compared with the general tracheostomy population, some subsets of younger patients may have better outcomes. In the first year following tracheostomy, short-term acute care costs were extremely high. Total short-term acute care hospital costs approach $11 billion dollars per year for tracheostomy-related to acute respiratory failure if extended to the entire US population. Such results can support families and surrogates in the decision-making process.