Clinical Research Directory

Accuracy of the Welch Allyn ConnexSpot Monitor in Measuring Respiratory Rate in the Emergency Department

This prospective observational study will evaluate the accuracy of the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor equipped with a Masimo SpO₂ finger sensor in measuring respiratory rate in the emergency department. Respiratory rate is a key predictor of patient deterioration, yet it is frequently measured inaccurately when assessed manually. In this study, respiratory rate values obtained by the monitor will be compared against manual counts performed by trained observers (physicians). An additional analysis will compare respiratory rates measured by trained observers with those recorded by triage nurses during triage. A subgroup analysis will also investigate whether cardiac arrhythmias influence measurement accuracy. The aim is to examine if respiratory rates measured by the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor are comparable to those obtained by trained observers and triage nurses in the emergency department.

Remote Investigation and Assessment of Vital Signs

The vital signs (pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and body temperature) are critical in assessing the severity and prognosis of infections. The devices used today for measuring the vital signs have to be in physical contact with the patients. There is an apparent risk of transferring infections from one patient to the next (or to healthcare professionals). Accurately obtaining vital signs is also important when managing other categories of patients where it may be relevant to obtain some of the vital signs such as pulse and blood pressure. This project aims to evaluate a new camera-based system for contactless measurement of vital signs.

The PARS Study: Paediatric Advanced Respiratory Service Study - An Observational Diagnostic Feasibility Study

Diagnostic investigations in paediatric respiratory and sleep medicine are often challenging due to patient size (due to prematurity), tolerability, and compliance with "gold standard equipment". Children with sensory/behavioural issues, at increased risk of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), often find tolerating standard diagnostic equipment difficult. There is a need to develop non-invasive, wireless, devices designed for the paediatric population. Devices must address health in-equalities as high-risk children, with low birth weights, genetic syndromes, or complex neuro-disabilities, are often unable to undergo current investigations, particularly in sleep medicine. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of SDB is important to facilitate early intervention and improve outcomes Infants in the neonatal period can have immature breathing control which manifests as excessive central breathing pauses, apnoea's, whilst asleep requiring oxygen therapy. There is also a risk to newborn term infants of sudden unexpected neonatal collapse, even in "low risk" babies. Diagnosis of breathing issues in babies can be challenging since babies are often too small for standard monitoring equipment. Effective monitoring and appropriate treatment of apnoea's has been shown to improve prognosis in terms of 5-year mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Children with epilepsy are at risk of epileptic apnoea during a seizure (ictal) or post-ictal apnoea following an epileptic seizure. Epileptic and post-ictal apnoea have been implicated as causes of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Epilepsy affects approx. 50 million people worldwide. The risk of SUDEP varies in different underlying causes of epilepsy but is estimated to be the cause of 1.2 deaths for every 1,000 children with epilepsy each year. This observational study is part of a phased clinical program of research that aims to validate a small wearable biosensor developed by PneumoWave Ltd in a paediatric clinical setting with the overall primary endpoints of monitoring and assessing respiratory pattern as an aid to sleep diagnostics, and as a device to monitor apnoea in neonatal patients and children with epilepsy at risk of SUDEP.

Validation of Vital Signs Recording With VT-Patch Connected Devices in Children

: Patient readmission to PICU is a major point of concern for physicians because, although being a rare event, it has been strongly associated with more morbidity and death. Patient monitoring once they have left the PICU is drastically modified, and small connected devices could be an option to early identify patients at risk of PICU readmission. Such devices have been manufactured for the recording of vital signs in adults, but they do not exist for children. Besides, studies have recently shown that devices that use optical sensors may be less accurate in individuals with dark skin pigmentation since dark skin tones impose a limitation on optical biometric sensing. The wearable and medical device industry has not sufficiently addressed this issue yet. This is one of the main challenges that need to be addressed in this area to make sure the connected devices using this technology will work with all different skin colours including very dark skin.

Validation Study on RENEW's Aingeal at KK Women's and Children's Hospital

This proposal describes the evaluation of a CE-marked, FDA cleared vital signs Surveillance Monitoring system within an adult in-patient setting KK Women's and Children's Hospital ("KKH"), the main tertiary women and children hospital in Singapore. User acceptance of Aingeal and the Surveillance System will be considered within the clinical settings.