Tracheostomy in a patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome

Abstract

The coronavirus which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a virulent and highly contagious organism. Of the 1755 SARS patients in Hong Kong, over 400 were healthcare workers. Meticulous attention to infection control and teamwork are essential to minimize cross‐contamination and prevent staff from contracting the illness. These points are especially pertinent when anaesthetizing SARS patients for high‐risk procedures such as tracheostomy. We describe the management of such a case. Br J Anaesth 2004; 92: 280–2