Clinical Research Directory

The Effect of a Color-Coded System on Pressure Injury Prevention in the Intensive Care Unit

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of using a color-coded classification system that identifies the risks of pressure injuries in the intensive care unit on the development of pressure injuries.

Frailty and Muscle Strength Tests in Older Adults Undergoing Major Surgery

The goal of this observational study is to learn if simple tests for frailty and muscle strength can help predict which older adults (age 65 and older) are at higher risk for problems after major abdominal surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do measures of frailty and muscle strength, taken before surgery, predict complications after surgery? * Can these tests be easily done during a routine pre-surgical visit? Participants will: * Complete brief tests measuring muscle strength, breathing strength, physical function, nutrition status, body composition, and memory during a regular pre-surgical clinic appointment. * Allow researchers to review their medical records 30 and 90 days after surgery to identify any complications or health problems.

Remote Monitoring of Asthma in Children and Young People

The objective of this study is to determine whether healthcare data and remotely collected patient data can accurately predict asthma attacks in children and young people aged 5-17 years. The main outcome is: when using this new system, is there a reduction in asthma attacks compared with a historic average. The whole population of children and young people with asthma will have routine healthcare data monitored, with a subset of people with high risk asthma asked to participate in a more detail study involving remotely monitored data.

Comparing CCI and POSSUM for Predicting Oncogynecologic Surgery Complications

With the global rates of gynecologic cancers on the rise, optimizing perioperative care is imperative. Accurate risk prediction is essential for enhancing patient care, directing preoperative interventions, and facilitating informed decision-making in oncology. This research compares two widely-used risk assessment tools: the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM), in predicting perioperative outcomes. The CCI predominantly addresses comorbidities, providing simplicity and broad applicability, while POSSUM incorporates both physiological and operative factors for a more comprehensive risk assessment. Despite their application across various surgical specialties, the specific utility of these tools in onco-gynecologic surgery remains insufficiently explored. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CCI and POSSUM in predicting perioperative complications, with a focus on the incidence of these complications, length of hospital stay, and 30-day mortality. The implementation of these risk tools may enhance multidisciplinary risk management, thus improving patient outcomes in gynecologic oncology surgery.

Risk Factors for Complications After Cranioplasty

Cranial defects often result from brain injuries, hemorrhages, strokes, or brain tumors. These conditions can increase pressure inside the skull, and if left untreated, may lead to dangerous complications like brain herniation. To manage this, a common procedure called decompressive craniectomy is performed to reduce intracranial pressure. While this surgery often stabilizes the patient's condition, it leaves a cranial defect that exposes the brain to external risks, including pressure fluctuations and potential damage. In severe cases, patients with larger defects may develop complications such as sinking skin flap syndrome. Cranial reconstruction, also known as cranioplasty, is an important procedure to restore the skull's structure and protect the brain. This surgery can improve brain function, stabilize intracranial pressure, and enhance the patient's appearance. While cranioplasty is a standard neurosurgical procedure, it has a relatively high risk of complications compared to other brain surgeries. Common complications include infections, bleeding, hydrocephalus, and seizures. In severe cases, complications may lead to the failure of the reconstruction. Understanding the factors that contribute to complications after cranioplasty is crucial for neurosurgeons to improve outcomes and reduce risks. This study aims to identify these factors and develop predictive models for postoperative complications of cranioplasty.

Resilience in Adolescent Development

RAD is a 10-year natural history, longitudinal, prospective assessment study of a cohort of 2,500 participants (ages 10-24 years) that will help uncover the socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical, psychological, and neurobiological factors that contribute to resilience among children, adolescents, and young adults at-risk for mood and anxiety disorders. As this is an exploratory study, we will assess a comprehensive panel of carefully selected participant specific parameters, including socio-demographic, life habits, clinical, biological, behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging. The study is designed to observe and collect factors associated with resilience in a non-invasive fashion; no interventions or treatments will be conducted during the project. Assessments will be conducted up to 4 times per year for up to 10 years, as well as a baseline visit. Study visits will be conducted in person whenever feasible but may be completed by phone/mail/computer, if an in-person visit is not possible.

The Risk of Surgical Cancellation in Adult Patients Assessed by Telephone Versus In-person for Scheduled Non-cardiac Elective Surgery.

Telemedicine has been regulated in Colombia since 2006, with applications in anesthesia being explored since 2004 to improve accessibility and reduce costs. Although Decree 538 of 2020 expanded telemedicine's medical applications, challenges such as connectivity issues and the need for training remain. Telemedicine has shown promise in rural areas of Colombia, particularly for managing chronic diseases. However, further evidence is needed regarding the effectiveness of telephone pre-anesthetic evaluations. This study aims to investigate the implementation of telephone assessments for non-cardiac surgery and their impact on surgical cancellations compared to in-person pre-anesthetic evaluations. The primary question we seek to answer is: Does telephone pre-anesthetic assessment in non-cardiac surgical patients carry a higher risk of surgical cancellations compared to in-person evaluations? To address this question, we will evaluate patients' medical records in two hospitals where patients were assessed using both telephone and in-person modalities.

Preoperative Focused Cardiac Ultrasound in Hip Fracture Surgery (PrEcho)

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of preoperative focused transthoracic ultrasound (FOCUS) on intraoperative hypotension and postoperative complications in hip fracture surgery. Our hypothesis is that a preoperative FOCUS along with a hemodynamic optimization protocol will reduce the occurrence of intraoperative drops in blood pressure and post-operative complications.