Original research••

Healthcare service use and medical outcomes of tracheostomy-dependent children: a nationwide study

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Abstract

Background Despite the rising trend of tracheostomies in children, there is a lack of comprehensive resources for families to navigate the challenges of living with a tracheostomy, emphasising the need for evidence-based support in understanding postoperative care and long-term adjustments. This study aimed to examine the pattern of using healthcare services and nationwide medical outcomes in children who underwent a tracheotomy before the age of 2 years.

Methods This retrospective study used the National Health Insurance System database from 2008 to 2016 and included all children codified with tracheotomy procedure codes before their second birthday. Healthcare utilisation, such as medical costs, number of hospital visits, home healthcare nursing and medical diagnoses on readmission, in the first 2 years after tracheotomy was evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors affecting mortality.

Results In total, 813 patients were included in this study. Their use of healthcare services and the accompanying expenses were higher than the national medians for similar age groups; however, both metrics decreased in the second year. The major causes of admission within 2 years of surgery were respiratory and neurological diseases. The mortality rate within 2 years was 37.8%. Higher risks of mortality were associated with having two or more complex chronic conditions. Use of home healthcare nursing services was associated with a lower mortality risk.

Conclusion Paediatric patients with more complex chronic conditions tended to have higher mortality rates within 2 years after surgery. However, receiving home healthcare nursing was significantly associated with a reduced risk of death. Many causes of hospitalisation may be preventable with education and supportive care. Therefore, further research for establishing an integrated care system for these patients and their caregivers is required.

What is already known on this topic

Children under the age of 2 who undergo tracheotomy experience high morbidity and significant complications and place a substantial burden on their families.

What this study adds

Many causes of hospitalisation may be preventable with education and supportive care.
Receiving home healthcare nursing was significantly associated with a reduced risk of mortality.

How this study might affect research, practice or policy

The findings of this study can serve as empirical evidence for establishing new systems, such as home healthcare services, in countries with weak support systems for children who undergo tracheotomy.

Introduction

With the development of medical science, the number of medically complex and technology-dependent children has steadily increased. Paediatric tracheotomy is technically difficult, with a higher risk of mortality and perioperative complications than that in the adult population,1 2 particularly for younger children. Data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program of the American College of Surgeons indicate that children aged <2 years with tracheostomy have higher morbidity, with 24.3% experiencing a major complication within 30 days of tracheotomy.3 Nonetheless, the procedure is becoming more prevalent in paediatric populations with complex medical conditions or chronic illnesses, such as airway obstruction, cardiopulmonary disease and neurological impairment.1 2 4

Living with a tracheostomy poses significant challenges to both patients and their families; therefore, they should receive comprehensive information before the procedure. Providing practical insights into the journey after tracheotomy can empower parents to make informed decisions about the surgery and prepare for the required long-term adjustments. It becomes imperative to develop family-centred resources grounded in robust, evidence-based data on contemporary tracheotomy-related healthcare and outcomes. While there is a wealth of literature on paediatric tracheotomy procedures, indications and complications, studies focusing on the enduring experiences of patients and their families after tracheotomy are lacking.1 5–7 This study leveraged the Korean National Health Insurance System (KNHIS) database to examine nationwide healthcare utilisation and outcomes among children who underwent tracheotomy before their second birthday.

Methods

Data source and study design

This retrospective study analysed the data of children born between 2008 and 2016 using a nationwide database from the Republic of Korea and followed their records until 2018. The KNHIS database collects mandatory information on beneficiaries of national health insurance and medical aid in a unified manner. This database comprises several linked data sets such as social and economic qualifications, medical treatment, results of medical check-ups and costs.8 Diagnostic codes are based on the WHO’s International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10). Information on population census and national annual medical fees was obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service.9

Children who underwent tracheotomy before the age of 2 were included to focus on a population where tracheotomy complications are more prevalent.3 We excluded children who died during hospitalisation to ensure that the study assessed progress after elective tracheotomy, which would be more informative in terms of long-term implications.

Terminology

Tracheotomy cases were defined as those with a corresponding procedural code (O1300, O1301, O1303, O1305, O1306, M5830). Complex chronic conditions (CCCs) are defined as:

any medical condition that can be reasonably expected to last at least 12 months (unless death intervenes) and to involve either several different organ systems or one organ system severely enough to require specialty pediatric care and probably some period of hospitalization in a tertiary care center.10

The list of categories was adopted from CCC version 2.11 Patients living with CCCs were defined as individuals assigned CCC disease codes in either the primary or additional diagnosis field for hospital visits. The number of CCCs was defined as the number of CCC categories designated for each patient.

Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) refer to clinical conditions where the likelihood of an unplanned hospitalisation can be diminished through prompt and efficient outpatient care. Hospitalisation stemming from ACSC may signify a lost opportunity for prevention and an adverse encounter for a child and their family. Additionally, it may signal a deficiency in, or limited access to, high-quality outpatient healthcare services. We defined ACSCs using the patients’ ICD-10 codes, according to previous studies.12 13

The relevance index indicates the number of patients in a certain area who used hospitals in the same region. This was calculated by dividing the number of patients who underwent tracheotomy in a hospital located in the same residential area by the total number of patients who underwent tracheotomy residing in that area for the same year. Therefore, a lower relevance index in a specific region indicated that more patients moved to a remote area for treatment.14 15

Variables

Demographic characteristics included patients’ sex, age at tracheotomy, income level, categories and number of CCCs, address of the patient’s residence and the medical institution where tracheotomy was performed. The insurance type (national health insurance or medical aid) and the KNHIS premium based on income levels were used as proxy indicators for financial status. The lowest income category was designated as those receiving medical aid. KNHIS income levels were divided into four groups: category 1 (<25% premium), category 2 (25%–50% premium), category 3 (50%–75% premium) and category 4 (>75% premium). Medical aid and category 1 patients were merged for analysis due to the small number receiving medical aid. The country was divided into administrative districts, and patients’ residential districts were classified as metropolitan (Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Ulsan) or other regions.

For 2 years following tracheotomy, healthcare utilisation indicators included medical expenses and the combined count of hospitalisations, outpatient visits and use of emergency medical services. Notably, admissions through the emergency room were recorded under hospitalisations in the database, precluding a separate tally for emergency department visits. Additionally, home care nursing utilisation was identified by assignment of procedure codes (AN200, AN300, AN400, AN500).

Outcome measures

The main outcome measure was mortality within 2 years of tracheotomy. The primary and top five secondary diagnoses for admission were identified using ICD-10 diagnostic codes. The top 20 codes were selected after excluding codes relating to health status/services (tracheostomy status) and underlying medical conditions, such as hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.

Statistical analysis

The annual difference in the 2-year mortality rate after tracheotomy was examined using Pearson’s χ² test. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the main outcome and predictive factors. All analyses were performed using SAS software (V.9.4). P values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant, and ORs with 95% CIs were calculated to elucidate the strengths of the associations.

Patient and public involvement

The public nor patients were involved in this study.

Results

Trends in the number of tracheotomies and mortality rates

In total, 4 105 326 infants were born between 2008 and 2016, with a downward trend (figure 1A, table 1). However, the number and incidence rate of tracheotomies in patients <2 years also increased over the years (figure 1B). 61 children who died during hospitalisation for tracheotomy were excluded, and 813 were included. 307 patients died within 2 years after tracheotomy. The overall mortality rate was 37.8%. There were no significant annual differences in the 2-year mortality rates (p=0.099).

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Figure 1

Trend in (A) the number of births and tracheotomies between 2008 and 2016 and (B) the incidence rate of tracheotomies per 100 000 child-years in the Republic of Korea.

Table 1

Number of births and tracheotomies between 2008 and 2016 in the Republic of Korea

Demographic characteristics

Most patients underwent tracheotomy before 1 year of age. The majority (91.4%) had at least one CCC, and approximately two-thirds had multiple CCCs (table 2). Approximately half (48.0%) of the surgeries were performed in Seoul, which showed the highest relevance index (92.6%). The relevance index for Busan and the surrounding area was 75.2% (figure 2A). 42% of children residing in Seoul used home healthcare nursing services. On the other hand, <30% children residing distant from the capital city used home healthcare nursing services (figure 2B).

Table 2

Demographics of patients who underwent tracheotomy before 2 years of age, n (%)

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Figure 2

(A) Relevance index and (B) home healthcare nursing utilisation ratio for children who had a tracheotomy in the Republic of Korea. The relevance index is the ratio of children who underwent tracheotomy in a certain residential district to children dwelling in that area who underwent tracheotomy. The home healthcare nursing utilisation ratio is defined as the ratio of children using home healthcare nursing. The national territory is divided into eight areas. The map was downloaded from the Republic of Korea editable map template (https://yourfreetemplates.com/free-south-korea-editable-map) and modified by the Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 program after confirming the ’Terms-of-use’.

Healthcare utilisation after tracheotomy

Table 3 shows the data of the patients with at least one service used in the first 2 years after tracheotomy. The spend on medical services was more in the first year than in the second year; the median total medical costs were US$14 542 and US$6468 per capita, respectively (US$1=1115.7 Korean won). The total hospital stay, number of emergency room visits and use of home healthcare nursing also decreased. While 26.0% of patients received home healthcare nursing in the first year, only 17.9% did so in the second year.

Table 3

Healthcare service utilisation per person among patients who received it more than once

Causes of hospitalisation after tracheotomy

Table 4 summarises the top 20 causes of hospitalisation within 2 years after tracheotomy. Respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia (n=116) and asthma (n=82), and neurological illnesses, including convulsions and epilepsy, were frequent diagnoses for admission. 10 of the 20 diagnoses were considered ACSCs.

Table 4

List of the top 20 diagnoses in patients who were readmitted after tracheotomy

Risk factors for mortality

The median time to death within 2 years after tracheotomy for 307 patients was 144 days (IQR: 52–313). In multivariable analyses, three CCCs indicated the highest likelihood of mortality (OR 2.654; 95% CI 1.462 to 4.819), and two CCCs were also associated with increased mortality (OR 1.971; 95% CI 1.084 to 3.585). Home healthcare nursing was significantly associated with a reduced mortality risk (OR 0.613; 95% CI 0.433 to 0.869) (table 5).

Table 5

Associated factors of mortality of patients who underwent tracheotomy before 2 years old

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first study that identified the nature of healthcare utilisation and outcomes of children who underwent tracheotomy before 2 years of age in Korea. The number of infants requiring tracheotomy increased despite a declining national birth rate. Most paediatric patients underwent surgery in their first year of life and had at least one CCC. Presence of more CCCs was associated with higher mortality within 2 years after surgery. Home healthcare nursing utilisation was associated with lower mortality.

The increasing trend in tracheotomies observed in this study has also been observed in other studies. A single-tertiary centre study revealed that surgeries have been increasing over the last 30 years.4 A study of 14 155 participants registered in the Pediatric Health Information System database of 52 children’s hospitals in the USA from 2010 to 2018 also showed an increase in the annual number of tracheotomies.16 This tendency could be attributed to improvements in paediatric critical care technologies and the increased life expectancy of medically complex children.1

Children who underwent tracheotomy had higher healthcare utilisation than did the general population of children. The median total admission durations were 23 days and 10 days in the first and second years after tracheotomy, respectively; these were substantially higher than the reported median of 6.8 days and 7.5 days, respectively, for same-age Korean children.17 The annual median total medical costs per capita in both years were also far above those for same-age Korean children (US$917.5).17 As the benefit coverage rate in Korea was approximately 60% during the study period, higher actual medical expenses were estimated.18 These results were consistent with previous findings.19 20 A study including 502 children in the USA who underwent tracheotomy in 2009 found that the total healthcare spending for hospitalisation during the 2 years after the surgery was over US$75 000.21

In the current study, approximately 48.0% of patients underwent surgery in Seoul, and the relevance index for other regions was lower than that for the capital city. Moreover, the home care nursing utilisation rate was higher in Seoul. Patients living in remote areas of the capital city may have difficulties with not only undergoing surgery but also receiving postoperative supportive care. A survey reported that caregivers of medical technology-dependent children in Korea had substantial problems taking care of their sick children and managing medical devices at home.22 Studies have urged the establishment of a well-equipped environment and a partnership between hospitals and community care systems for successful tracheostomy management after discharge.23 24 To provide proper care after discharge, a referral system and home healthcare services must be developed throughout the country. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics has called for fostering family provider–community partnerships.25 Establishment and implementation of comprehensive measures, such as standardised education protocols, systematic communication between tertiary care centres and primary care providers, and activation of visiting home healthcare, respite care and school-based specialised services, are encouraged.26 27

In this study, most hospitalisations after tracheotomy were due to respiratory or neurological conditions. Notably, among the top 10 conditions, 7 were identified as ACSCs, and 8 among the top 20 conditions were respiratory problems. The aforementioned comprehensive measures could help minimise avoidable hospitalisations.12 13 26 27 In order to reduce respiratory problems at home, caregivers should be educated on adequate secretion management, clean techniques for aspiration and the importance of vaccination.28 The American Thoracic Society guidelines also emphasise the importance of education. Continuous efforts to obtain, strengthen and improve skills are encouraged to ensure patient safety and clinical benefits. The guidelines presented detailed educational objectives in various domains.29 The utilisation of telemedicine can be an additional option for supporting parents, especially those with limited medical resources. 27% of hospitalisations were shown to be prevented by telemedicine in a prospective clinical study of tracheostomy-dependent children, with caregivers reporting improved safety and quality of life.30

In this study, the mortality rate within 2 years after surgery was 37.8%, higher than that previously reported. A retrospective single-centre study including 68 children who underwent tracheotomy before age 2 found that 23.5% of patients died.31 Other recent studies reported that approximately 13%–27% of paediatric patients who underwent tracheotomy died.32–35 The higher mortality rate may be attributed to the broader indications for tracheotomy in Korea, where doctors sometimes perform the procedure even when it may not significantly alter the prognosis. This can be inferred from the higher population-based tracheotomy incidence rate in Korea (10.9 per 100 000 child-years vs 6.0 per 100 000 child-years in the USA) and deserves further study.6 To minimise avoidable tracheotomies in infants, a multidisciplinary approach involving evidence-based guideline development, specialised training for healthcare professionals, clear communication with families about prognosis and treatment options, and early discussions on advanced care planning is crucial. Additionally, regular case reviews and data analysis can contribute to improved decision-making and outcomes.

The greater the number of CCCs present among patients who underwent tracheotomy, the higher the association with mortality. Since the specific cause of death for each patient was not ascertainable in this study, caution is warranted in the interpretation of our findings. However, our findings could be used in shared decision-making when deciding to proceed with tracheotomy. It would be beneficial to share with parents that the risks/burdens of the procedure, particularly the risk of mortality due to underlying conditions, must be considered.

Those receiving home care nursing demonstrated lower odds of mortality in this study. Home care nursing has been shown in previous studies to assist with transitioning safely from the hospital to home and reducing the risk of readmission. Additionally, research has demonstrated its ability to decrease family burnout and enhance the quality of life for children.36–38 Furthermore, cost-effectiveness analyses have revealed significant cost-saving effects associated with home care nursing.36 39 Establishing supportive systems like home healthcare could potentially contribute to reducing mortality rates and alleviating the burden on families.

This study had limitations. First, the KNHIS is based on claims data and we could not obtain detailed clinical data or identify the patient’s medical condition. Although we used CCC codes to identify the disease severity, it may not have reflected the patient’s actual medical condition. Moreover, we could not ascertain the specific reasons for tracheotomy or underlying causes of mortality. Therefore, prospective cohort studies should be conducted to determine preoperative and postoperative conditions and prognoses in the future. Second, as a retrospective cohort study, this study examined associations rather than causal relationships, thus precluding the determination of cause–effect relationship. This aspect could also be further addressed in a prospective cohort study. Nevertheless, this study had several strengths. First, it was a nationwide study that identified children who underwent tracheotomy within 2 years after birth. Because 97% of individuals are covered by a unified national health insurance system,40 our findings could be generalised to the entire population and minimise bias. Second, because the KNHIS database contains healthcare utilisation variables, a nationwide analysis of healthcare expenditure and admission days was possible. Thus, our study can be used as a reference for preoperative counselling and parental preparation during the postoperative phase.

In conclusion, children with tracheostomies often experience complex conditions. Traditional healthcare models have difficulty meeting the high healthcare needs of these patients, and they frequently receive fragmented and disorganised care.41 An integrated care system that links hospital-based specialists with community-based healthcare can be helpful. It is necessary to continue studying the characteristics, needs and outcomes of this population as the information gathered will be beneficial to patients and caregivers.

IGS and YSK are joint first authors.
Contributors: Conceptualisation: MSK, IGS, YSK. Data curation: IGS, Y-MC, YL. Formal analysis: Y-MC, YL. Investigation: MSK, IGS, YSK, JWL. Methodology: MSK, IGS, YSK, Y-MC, YL. Software: IGS, Y-MC, YL. Validation: IGS, Y-MC, YL. Visualisation: IGS, Y-MC, YL. Writing—original draft: IGS, YSK. Writing—review and editing: MSK, IGS, YSK, JWL, SKK, DIS, JDP. Guarantors: MSK, IGS
Funding: The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Map disclaimer: The inclusion of any map (including the depiction of any boundaries therein), or of any geographic or locational reference, does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of BMJ concerning the legal status of any country, territory, jurisdiction or area or of its authorities. Any such expression remains solely that of the relevant source and is not endorsed by BMJ. Maps are provided without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied.
Competing interests: None declared.
Patient and public involvement: Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.
Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Ethics statements

Patient consent for publication:

Ethics approval:

The Institutional Review Board of Seoul National University Hospital reviewed and exempted this study from formal approval as the KNHIS database does not contain any identifiable information (no: 2208-153-1353). The study was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Acknowledgements

This research utilised data from the National Health Insurance Sharing Service (NHIS-2020-1-286) compiled by the NHIS.

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