Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion (putting in a drip) is a near universal procedure for pregnant women admitted to the delivery suite. The catheter is inserted for a variety of reasons including for blood tests, fluids or medicines to be given intravenously or as a precautionary measure in the event of a major haemorrhage. Doctors usually put the drip on the back of the hand or in the lower forearm. We do know which place is better for the drip to be placed in pregnant women at term. We think that inserting a cannula at the back of the hand is easier but it can be more painful to insert and prone to failure.
Who can participate?
Women at term with a singleton viable pregnancy admitted to the delivery suite who have suitable veins at the back of the hand and the lower forearm for cannula insertion and who need to have a drip inserted according to usual clinical practice will be invited to participate
What does the study involve?
If you agree to take part, you will need to sign a consent form. The doctor will then insert the catheter in the back of your hand or in a lower forearm vein (usually at the wrist) according to random allocation (an envelope containing the allocation will be opened to reveal the site). The catheter will be inserted and secured using standard techniques. Blood is usually taken from the catheter for any blood test you need. An infusion may be started if you need this immediately. If not, 5 ml of normal saline is used to flush the catheter to make sure it is correctly placed and is patent. If the allocated insertion is unsuccessful, your doctor is free to make a second attempt anywhere according to his best judgment.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
No specific risk is anticipated. Both sites are commonly used for the insertion of an intravenous drip.
Where is the study run from?
The study is conducted in the Delivery Suite of the University of Malaya Medical Centre, a tertiary referral hospital with full-fledged operating theatres and neonatal intensive care unit.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The trial is scheduled to start 1 May 2013 and is expected to be completed within 12 months.
Who is funding the study?
Internally by the University of Malaya (Malaysia)
Who is the main contact?
Professor PC Tan
pctan@um.edu.my
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
975.12
Study information
Scientific title
Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation in Obstetric Patients: comparing dorsum of the hand vein with lower forearm vein: a randomised controlled trial
Acronym
PICOP
Study hypothesis
Peripheral intravenous catheterisation in women at term admitted to the delivery suite is more likely to be successfully accomplished but is more uncomfortable when attempted through a vein at dorsum of the hand compared to a vein at the lower forearm.
Ethics approval
Ethics approval from the University of Malaya Medical Centre Medical Ethics Committee. Approval number 975.12 dated 12 March 2013.
Study design
Randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Common medical procedure: Peripheral Intravenous Catheterisation
Intervention
Attempted catherisation with a 18G peripheral intravenous cannula using standard insertion technique without any local anaesthesia into a
1. Vein at the dorsum of the hand or
2. Vein at the lower forearm
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
1. Successful insertion (defined as full placement of the catheter into a vein at the allocated site after a single skin prick confirmed with a straightforward 5 ml saline flush)
2. Insertion pain score using a visual numerical scale from 1 to 10 (1 no pain to 10 worst pain imaginable)
3. Catheter malfunction (defined as the need for further catheterisation prior to discharge due to deemed unsatisfactory performance of the per protocol indwelling catheter)
Secondary outcome measures
1. Causes of catheter malfunction (if any)
2. Providers insertion difficulty grading
3. Patient satisfaction score with site of catheter placement
4) Patients preference catheter placement site (post catheter removal)
5) Insertion site complications (at hospital discharge)
a. Swelling
b. Bruising
c. Tenderness
d. Thrombosed vein
6) Patient perception of pain at insertion site after removal of catheter scored using a visual numerical scale from 1 to 10 (1 no pain to 10 worst pain imaginable)
Overall trial start date
01/05/2013
Overall trial end date
30/04/2014
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Admission to the delivery suite
2. Established need for a peripheral intravenous catheter based on usual practice/indication
3. Aged ≥ 18years
4. erm Pregnancy (≥ 37 wks)
5. Singleton, viable fetus
6. Suitable veins at BOTH proposed sites as assessed by the provider who will attempt the insertion
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Female
Target number of participants
At least 304 women
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Women who are seriously ill, requiring more than one venous access
2. Women who are scheduled to undergo a Caesarean delivery
Recruitment start date
01/05/2013
Recruitment end date
30/04/2014
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Malaysia
Trial participating centre
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Malaya (Malaysia)
Sponsor details
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
University of Malaya (H-20001-00-E000066) (Malaysia)
Alternative name(s)
University of Malaya
Funding Body Type
government organisation
Funding Body Subtype
government non-federal
Location
Malaysia
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list