Closed-loop oxygen saturation monitoring during neonatal ventilation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does closed-loop oxygen saturation monitoring during mechanical ventilation decrease staff workload? – A randomised controlled crossover study in ventilated neonates
IRAS ID
259710
Contact name
Anne Greenough
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 4 days
Research summary
Ventilated neonates are usually provided with supplementary oxygen, measured as a percentage of the air they inspire (FiO2), in order to optimise the amount of oxygen in their blood. Too little oxygen can increase mortality and later disability, whereas too much oxygen can increase the risk of complications such as retinopathy of prematurity. The amount of oxygen in the blood is monitored using oxygen saturation (SpO2), measured using a finger or foot probe continuously during ventilation. Closed-loop oxygen monitoring software uses the SpO2 to automatically adjust the FiO2 in order to maintain SpO2 within the optimal range. This is a task traditionally undertaken by the neonate’s nurse, who will alert the rest of the medical team if the SpO2 is persistently too low or too high to prompt further investigation and adjustment of ventilatory support.
Previous studies in preterm and low birthweight infants have suggested that closed-loop oxygen monitoring software will provide a greater percentage of time in target SpO2 range and additionally decrease the number of manual adjustments that need to be made by clinical staff. However, previous studies have been limited to preterm and low birthweight infants, whereas term and higher birthweight infants may also require ventilation and could benefit from this technology. Additionally, improved control of oxygenation could reduce invasive and harmful investigations on this population, such as blood gas sampling and chest radiographs, which have not been examined in previous studies.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0231
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion