Clinical Research Directory

Effectiveness of Enzyme Spray Intervention on Thirst Relief in Patients With Endotracheal Intubation.

This study addresses the high prevalence (66%-70%) of thirst among intensive care unit (ICU) patients with endotracheal intubation, a symptom associated with oral mucosal dryness, nil per os (NPO) status, high-flow oxygen therapy, and medication effects. Unrelieved thirst may contribute to anxiety, delirium, and unplanned extubation. Current clinical practices, such as cold water or saline sprays, provide only transient relief and may pose aspiration risks. Enzyme-based saliva substitutes, which mimic natural saliva and stabilize the oral environment, show potential benefits; however, evidence in ICU populations remains limited. A single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in an ICU of a medical center in southern Taiwan. Eligible participants are adult patients (≥18 years) with endotracheal intubation expected to exceed 24 hours, a baseline thirst intensity score (NRS-I) ≥3, and the ability to communicate. A total of 76 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the experimental group (enzyme-based oral spray) or the control group (distilled water spray), using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes (SNOSE) to ensure allocation concealment. The intervention will be administered following routine oral care within a standardized time window (13:00-15:00). Both solutions will be prepared in identical opaque spray bottles to maintain blinding. The protocol includes 12 sprays per session (approximately 1.56 mL), delivered to four standardized intraoral sites, with outcomes monitored over a 4-hour period. Primary outcomes include thirst intensity (Numerical Rating Scale-Intensity, NRS-I) and thirst distress (Numerical Rating Scale-Distress, NRS-D), assessed at baseline (T0) and at 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes post-intervention (T1-T4) by blinded outcome assessors. No biological specimens will be collected; data will be obtained from self-reported measures and electronic medical records, with strict de-identification and secure storage procedures. This study is considered minimal risk. Any adverse events, such as discomfort or choking, will result in immediate discontinuation of the intervention. Data will be analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to evaluate group, time, and interaction effects. The findings are expected to provide evidence-based guidance for improving thirst management, enhancing patient comfort, and optimizing the quality of critical care nursing.

Safe Brain Initiative, Operationalizing Precision Anaesthesia

Perioperatively, patients experience an unnecessarily high level of side effects associated with their treatment. These side effects include nausea, severe pain, anxiety, and stress. Moreover, many patients develop postoperative delirium (POD) and neurocognitive dysfunctions, often resulting in long-term cognitive impairment, decreased quality of life, and increased mortality. However, physicians, nurses and their institutions do not receive structured feedback regarding these aspects of each patient's well-being. They may therefore be unable to engage in the essential cause-and-effect learning necessary to evaluate and consecutively reduce such side effects. Effective guidelines conform prevention is the proven key to shielding our patients from adverse Outcomes. The Safe Brain Initiative's high-quality routine data-for-action is a sword and accelerator for moving towards patient-centred, precision care. Thus, establishing a foundation for value-based and patient-centred healthcare development. However, a turnkey real-world solution is challenging to develop and implement and requires substantial resources. As a result, such solutions are usually beyond the scope of a single institution. The SBI platform provides high-quality, real-world data to bridge this gap. It allows monitoring and in-depth analysis of cause and effect in the day-to-day routine of individuals, departments, and institutions. The SBI's approach is continuously improved and updated. An organization called the SBI Global Society oversees the quality and precision of science through experts in the field. At SBI Hospitals and Flagship centres, Masterclasses are conducted and can be attended alongside clinical immersions. SBI Solutions manages, develops, and provides technical and service support for the Safe Brain Initiative. Its service guarantees the professional and GDPR conform management of data handling and storage as well as the user-friendly functionality of the SBI-Dashboard solutions.

The Effect of Intervention About Dry Mouth and Thirst in Patients With Endotracheal Tube

This is an experimental study aimed at exploring the effectiveness of using 4°C frozen gauze with normal saline for relieving dry mouth and thirst in patients with endotracheal tubes.