REACH study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identifying and understanding risk factors for instability and adverse events associated with chest physiotherapy in ventilated children
IRAS ID
278215
Contact name
Emma Shkurka
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 27 days
Research summary
Paediatric intensive care units support the complex medical needs of children with life threatening conditions. There are 20000 admissions annually within the United Kingdom and 65% require life support through a breathing machine. Chest physiotherapy is considered part of routine care for these patients. There is a small amount of evidence providing support for the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy however it has been associated with instability and adverse events. At present the risks and benefits of chest physiotherapy in ventilated children are unknown. How physiotherapists make decisions and manage risks of instability and harmful events on paediatric intensive care have not been studied. Hence there are no guidelines to support these complex decisions. It is important to identify which patients are likely to benefit most and in which situations chest physiotherapy may present a significant risk.
Aim: To identify and understand the risk factors for instability and harmful events which may occur due to chest physiotherapy in children on intensive care.
Research Questions:
1. What is current chest physiotherapy practice within UK paediatric intensive care units?
2. How do physiotherapists make decisions regarding provision of chest physiotherapy in UK paediatric intensive care units and what other factors influence this decision making?
3. What do physiotherapists perceive to be risk factors for physiological instability and adverse events and how do they manage these?Design/Methods:
Phase 1 – An anonymous, electronic survey will be sent to all UK physiotherapists who work in paediatric critical care. Information will be collected about physiotherapy practice, referrals, and risk factors assessed and monitored.
Phase 2 – Interviews with 18-27 physiotherapists will take place. The findings from phase 1 will guide the questions. Phase 2 will provide a more in-depth understanding about physiotherapy decision making and management of risks.
This study is funded by Health Education England and the National Institute for Health Research as part of a Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship
REC name
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REC reference
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