Early tracheostomy: It was previously thought that early tracheostomy might lead to better outcomes18. However, a recently published meta-analysis of studies comparing early tracheostomy (performed within 7 days of intubation) and either prolonged endotracheal intubation or prolonged endotracheal intubation followed by tracheostomy found that the timing of tracheostomy was not associated with a significant reduction in short-term mortality, long-term mortality, the incidence of VAP, duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of sedation, duration of ICU or hospital stay, or other complications19