The INSIGHT Feasibility Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Acceptability and Feasibility of Interprofessional Scheduled Whole-Body Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Intensive Care Unit: A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial

• IRAS ID

  313425

• Contact name

  Phil Hopkins

• Contact email

  p.hopkins@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  King's College Hospital

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  NCT05569798

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 6 months, 17 days

• Research summary

  Ultrasound produces live pictures of the inside of the body, by placing a small probe on the surface of the skin. It can be used at the patient’s bedside to quickly diagnose and treat problems. Use at the bedside is known as point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS). When used routinely in the intensive care unit (ICU), PoCUS can identify problems earlier in the patient’s care. PoCUS may therefore prevent patient deterioration and could reduce the need for other imaging such as X-rays and CT scans, therefore reducing exposure to radiation which can be harmful.
  Our team has designed a simple PoCUS scan of the whole body (the INSIGHT scan) that Advanced Critical Care Practitioners (ACCPs), ICU nurses, physiotherapists, and doctors can perform on ICU patients at set days during their ICU stay. However, we do not currently know how easy it will be for staff to perform the INSIGHT scan as part of routine care, or whether the scan could benefit patients.
  We will observe staff performing and using the INSIGHT scan in the ICU to explore if: (1) there are any issues preventing staff from carrying out scans; (2) whether the INSIGHT scan be performed as a regular part of patient assessment; (3) if doctors find the scans useful. Using this information, sixty ICU patients from the same hospital will then be randomly allocated to one of two groups. In group 1, 30 patients will receive standard ICU care. In group 2, 30 patients will receive standard care plus a PoCUS scan on days 1,3 and 7 of their ICU admission. Data, including how quickly and easily we recruit patients; types, and number of other scans, will be collected for each group. We will also interview staff to understand if they are experiencing any problems with the INSIGHT scan.
  

• REC name

  London - South East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/LO/0917

• Date of REC Opinion

  30 Jan 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion