Evaluation of Rapid Clot Serum Tubes for use in the ED
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Becton Dickinson Rapid Clot Serum Tubes for use in the Emergency Department
IRAS ID
302287
Contact name
Megan Kitching
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NUTH
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 10 days
Research summary
This project aims to evaluate whether the recently-developed BD rapid clot serum tube (RST) can be introduced into routine use within the Emergency Department at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The RST tube offers a shorter clotting time (5 minutes instead of 30 minutes) and improved sample quality compared to the current serum separator tube (SST). The impact of this would be a reduction in sample turnaround time for biochemical tests leading to shorter patient stays in ED. In addition, the improved sample quality would reduce the occurrence of erroneous results which are frequently produced on SST samples as a result of inadequate sample clotting.
To evaluate whether the RST tubes are fit for clinical use they need to be compared to the current SST tubes. Patients who attend the ED, who are to have blood samples taken as part of their routine care and who are able and willing to give consent will be invited to participate in the study. Two blood samples will be collected, one in the current SST tube and one in the RST tube. The samples will be processed as recommended by the tube manufacturers and a panel of routine laboratory tests performed. Results of analysis of blood in both tubes will be compared using a paired t-test to determine if there are any differences. If there are no differences between the results produced from the two tube types then the RST tube will be deemed fit for clinical use.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1237
Date of REC Opinion
5 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion