vHDU Hypoxia Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Virtual HDU: Hypoxia Study. Accuracy and validity testing of ambulatory monitoring systems.

  • IRAS ID

    251711

  • Contact name

    Peter Watkinson

  • Contact email

    peter.watkinson@ndcn.ox.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Oxford/ Cklinical Trials and Research Governance

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 3 months, 24 days

  • Research summary

    Failure to identify and act on indicators of worsening acute illness in hospital wards is a problem that has been known for more than 10 years. “Track and Trigger” scoring systems are used in practice to check “standard" vital signs. These are pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation's and temperature. These are taken at timed intervals based on a protocol which is selected based on the clinical condition of the patient. Intermittent application of vital sign monitoring devices can be time consuming. Resultingly the correct frequency of observations is often missed. Continuous vital sign monitoring within the ward environment is not currently workable, but it’s believed to increase the timely detection of patient deterioration.

    Wearable ambulatory monitors (AM) may provide an alternative continuous monitoring system which may improve the early detection of abnormal physiological parameters. AM’s would allow patients to be more mobile and have less discomfort. The aim of the study is to test whether the devices will be able to give correct readings and be suitable for clinical use. The study will test pulse rate and oxygen saturation readings of healthy volunteers. The readings will be taken when the person is sat still and when they are moving. The study will be completed in a laboratory (at the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, Level 1 Oxford Heart Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital) with a trained doctor. Each volunteer will complete one phone call screen interview and one laboratory session. The volunteers will breathe different air/oxygen mixes to check the readings at different blood oxygen levels. The readings will be compared against arterial blood samples for reference at each stage. This study is part of a bigger study which aims to trial ambulatory monitoring devices on patients on a surgical ward.

    The research will be funded by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre.

  • REC name

    East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1

  • REC reference

    19/ES/0008

  • Date of REC Opinion

    4 Mar 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion