Reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread in hospitals, by stopping droplets from spreading

ISRCTN ISRCTN10378358
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10378358
IRAS number 285515
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS 285515
Submission date
13/06/2020
Registration date
08/07/2020
Last edited
15/03/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Stopped
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Aerosol Generating Procedures – are a group of procedures that splatter drops into the hospital environment, these droplets can carry COVID-19 in infected patients. Because of this they have been regulated by the NHS, however there is little real data about them. This trial aims to image the droplet and aerosol formation from AGPs and to measure the effect of a simple barrier placed over the AGP, to see whether this reduces the spread of droplets into the hospital environment. If we can prove this to be the case, the NHS will benefit by being able to work in a more efficient / normal manner.
This trial is looking at reducing the effect of Aerosol generating procedures, by draping the patient in a plastic sheet.

Who can participate?
Patients undergoing AGP at Queen Alexandra Hospital and patients in the dental faculty of University of Portsmouth aged 18 years or above.

What does the study involve?
The study involves placing a clear plastic drape over the AGP, and measuring the spread of droplets. Some patients will be randomised to receiving this drape and others will simply have their normal treatment. We will ensure that any drape does not affect the normal care that the patient receives. We will be using a fluorescein dye with special lights and cameras to capture images of the droplets spread from patients undergoing AGPs. We hope to show that simple measures such as using a physical barrier can help in the prevention of spread of these droplets and therefore COVID-19 in hospital.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The potential benefits are huge for the NHS, if we can get back to working normally and efficiently the individual patients may receive better care and their friends and family too.

Where is the study run from?
The University of Portsmouth (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?


Who is funding the study?
UK Research and Innovation

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Richard Newsom, richard.newsom@port.ac.uk

Contact information

Prof Richard Newsom
Public

Faculty of Science and Health
St. Michael's Building
White Swan Road
Portsmouth
PO1 2DT
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-2221-0653
Phone +44 (0)23 9284 2994
Email richard.newsom@port.ac.uk
Prof Richard Newsom
Scientific

Faculty of Science and Health
White Swan Road
Porstmouth
PO1 2DT
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-2221-0653
Phone +44 (0)23 9284 2994
Email richard.newsom@port.ac.uk

Study information

Study designMulti-centre randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not provided at time of registration
Scientific titleOral fluorescein as a biomarker for droplet and aerosol spread of COVID-19 within a clinical environment
Study objectivesWe propose to measure the spread of droplets within high risk clinical procedures called Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs). We will measure the droplets and aerosols produced by patients under going treatment and see if we can reduce them with a simple plastic sheet. We will also measure droplet spread on the ward and outpatients.
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPatients undergoing AGP
InterventionThe researchers will stain the saliva and nasal secretions with Fluorescein 2%, one drop in the mouth and one in each nostril. The AGP will be performed and the spread of the droplets will be gathered from screens set at 1 m distant. These will be angled vertical and horizontal at a height of 1.0m, the aim being to catch a sample of the falling droplets. These will be imaged with hyperspectral and forensic photography but also microscopy to detect minute droplet particles.

For each AGP we will measure 30 patients, randomised into two groups: those with no plastic covering and those with a plastic covering with a drape. The dental patients will be randomised to having a dental rubber dam vs no rubber dam.

AGPs
1. Intubation and extubating
2. Tracheostomy (insertion or open suction or removal)
3. Bronchoscopy and upper airway procedures
4. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
5. Cataract surgery – involving phaco probe
6. Dental procedures involving high-speed drilling/hygiene
7. Non-invasive ventilation e.g. Continuous positive pressure ventilation
8. Induction of sputum
9. High flow nasal oxygen
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Plastic sheet 2 x 3 m
Primary outcome measureThe proportion of patients where the spread of airborne droplets during AGP is > 50 drops on a detection pad at 1 m
Secondary outcome measuresnone
Overall study start date15/06/2020
Completion date01/03/2022

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants400
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients undergoing AGP at Queen Alexandra Hospital
2. Patients in dental faculty University of Portsmouth
3. Aged 18 years or above
Key exclusion criteria1. Not able to consent to the investigation
2. COVID-19 infection, or symptoms
3. Allergy to fluorescein, or multiple allergies
Date of first enrolment01/11/2020
Date of final enrolment01/12/2021

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Queen Alexandra Hospital
Cosham
Portsmouth
PO6 3LY
United Kingdom
University of Portsmouth
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Portsmouth
University/education

University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
P01 2UP
United Kingdom

Email simon.kolstoe@port.ac.uk
Website https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/contact-us
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03ykbk197
Queen Alexandra Hospital
Hospital/treatment centre

Cosham
Portsmouth
PO6 3LY
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)23 9228 6000
Email Alice.Mortlock@porthosp.nhs.uk
Website http://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04rha3g10

Funders

Funder type

Government

UK Research and Innovation
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
UKRI
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/12/2022
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Request to richard.newsom@port.ac.uk – from website: https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/ - for ten years – no personal patient data will be retained, but consent will be taken.

Editorial Notes

15/03/2022: The study was stopped as ethics approval was not granted.
14/09/2020: The recruitment start date was changed from 01/09/2020 to 01/11/2020.
15/06/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by University of Portsmouth