On page 56 in our article we stated, “Changing to a tracheostomy tube with a cuff that tightly collapses to the shaft of the tube may also improve space for airflow in the trachea,” and to change to an uncuffed tube if possible. Thank you for listing the 2 specific tube brands that tightly collapse to the tube shaft and for repeating the importance of airflow when the tube is capped. It is essential to maximize available space for airflow if the tube is capped. Ideally, tight-to-shaft tubes should be used but some institutions do not stock these tubes.

Successful capping is achieved with standard cuffed tubes if careful attention is given to making the appropriate assessments, as discussed in the article, including whether it is appropriate to cap the tube, tracheostomy tube size to tracheal diameter is small enough to maximize airflow in the trachea and allow for easy...

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