Randomized evaluation of two SpO2 alarm strategies during ventilation with automated oxygen supply control in the NICU

ISRCTN ISRCTN49239883
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN49239883
Secondary identifying numbers A5
Submission date
15/02/2018
Registration date
15/05/2018
Last edited
08/05/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Neonatal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
When infants in the neonatal intensive care unit require ventilation and oxygen supplementation, their oxygen levels are monitored by pulse oximetry (SpO2). In most Polish units, SpO2 alarms are set tightly with a relatively short alarm delay. This approach ensures that nurses are alerted to the possible need for an adjustment or other action. Centers setting their alarms loosely experience less frequent persistent alarms. This approach seems to be good as it reduces the number of false alarms and thus alarm fatigue. The aim of this study is to find out whether a loose alarm strategy reduces SpO2 alarm frequency without increasing over reliance on automation and increasing exposure to SpO2 extremes.

Who can participate?
Infants with respiratory (breathing) failure who are being ventilated and are in need of oxygen

What does the study involve?
Two oxygenation alarm strategies are used. The tight strategy sets the SpO2 alarms to trigger just outside the target range with a 30-second delay. The loose strategy sets the threshold wider with a 90-second delay. Infants are switched between the two strategies every 24 hours until the infant is stabilized and is placed on Infant Flow or for a total of up to 6 days, whichever is first. The relative frequency and duration of audible alarms are collected with a datalogger plugged in to the ventilator throughout the study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The loose strategy may reduce the risk associated with alarm fatigue and make it easier to keep the infant in the target oxygenation range.

Where is the study run from?
Neonatology, Center of Medical Postgraduate Education (Poland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2015 to July 2017

Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded

Who is the main contact?
Małgorzata Warakomska

Contact information

Mrs Malgorzata Warakomska
Scientific

Broniewskiego 8a/2
Warsaw
01-785
Poland

Study information

Study designObservational study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study design
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleRandomized evaluation of two SpO2 alarm strategies during automated FiO2 control in the NICU
Study objectivesThe paradigm of setting SpO2 alarms during automated control ought to be different than during periods of manual control. In most Polish units, SpO2 alarms are set tightly with a relatively short alarm delay. This approach is typical during manual control to insure the nurses are alerted to the possible need for an FiO2 adjustment or other action.  We currently use the same strategy when using CLiO2, as do many other centers. Our recent review of the Polish CLiO2 Use Registry determined that those centers setting their alarms loosely experienced less “frequent persistent” alarms. This approach seems to be good as it reduces the number of false alarms and thus alarm fatigue.
Ethics approval(s)Ethics Committee Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 14/10/2015, ref: 77/PB/2015
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedNewborn babies with respiratory failure ventilated in NICU with AVEA CLiO2 ventilator
InterventionThe study will compare two oxygenation alarm strategies, starting on the first day of life and ending with a transition in respiratory support or at 6 days, whichever occurred first. The tight strategy (TAS) set the SpO2 alarms to trigger just outside the target range, with a 30-second delay. The loose strategy (LAS) set the threshold wider with a 90-second delay.
The SpO2 target range setting on the A-FiO2 system was selected by the attending physician, with a nominal range of 88-95%. The study will enroll 20 subjects who need for oxygen and will cross over between these strategies every 24 hours until the infant is stabilized and is placed on Infant Flow or for a total of up to 6 days, whichever is first. The initial and daily changes to alarm settings were implemented by the research team.
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
Phase
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureThe relative frequency and duration of audible alarms, collected with a datalogger plugged in to the ventilator throughout the study
Secondary outcome measuresThe prevalence of SpO2 associated with hyperoxemia and hypoxemia, collected with a datalogger plugged in to the ventilator throughout the study
Overall study start date14/10/2015
Completion date15/07/2017

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupNeonate
SexBoth
Target number of participants20
Total final enrolment26
Key inclusion criteriaInfants with respiratory failure ventilated and with need of oxygen
Key exclusion criteria1. 6 days of intervention
2. Clinical exacerbation
3. Weaned from AVEA-CLiO
4. Withdrawn consent
Date of first enrolment27/06/2016
Date of final enrolment15/07/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Poland

Study participating centre

Neonatology, Center of Medical Postgraduate Education
Czerniakowska 231
Warsaw
00-416
Poland

Sponsor information

Neonatology, Independent Public Clinical Hospital of Prof W. Orlowski
University/education

Czerniakowska 231
Warsaw
00-416
Poland

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/059151f39

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 06/05/2019 08/05/2019 Yes No

Editorial Notes

08/05/2019: Total final enrolment and publication reference were added.