Screening Frequency Trial to Identify Weaning Candidates

Summary

During weaning the work of breathing is transferred from the ventilator back to the patient. Approximately 40% of the time on ventilators is spent weaning. Studies support the use of screening protocols and tests of patient's ability to breathe spontaneously (SBTs) to identify weaning candidates. Once daily screening is the current standard of care. With respiratory therapists (RTs) in Canadian intensive care units (ICUs), a significant opportunity exists to screen patients more frequently, conduct more SBTs, and reduce the time spent on ventilators and in the ICU.

The study is seeking to identify the optimal screening frequency to minimize patients' exposure to invasive ventilation. The RELEASE Trial will evaluate a simple a simple construct: more frequent screening will result In earlier identification of weaning candidates, more frequent SBT's, and less time spent on ventilators and in the ICU. More frequent screening is an appealing intervention because it is sensible, low risk, and represents a cost effective use of current resources. This simple intervention holds promise as a strategy that could change clinical practice, enhance the care delivered to critically ill adults, and improve clinically important outcomes.

Conditions

• Critically Ill

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Once daily screening

In the 'once daily screening arm', RTs will screen invasively ventilated patients between approximately 06:00 - 08:00 hours daily. The initial SBT will be 30-120 minutes in duration and may be conducted with any one of the following techniques: T-piece, CPAP \< to 5 cm H2 O or PS \< 8 cm H2 O with PEEP \< 5 - 10 cm H2O. Higher levels of PEEP (8-10 cm H2O) will be permitted (and recorded) to allow for clinician discretion in conducting SBTs in specific patients (e.g., obese, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and use of different humidification strategies. Each centre will choose one technique to be used for all patients enrolled at their centre.

PROCEDURE

At least twice daily screening

In the 'at least twice daily' screening arm patients will be screened at a minimum between approximately 6:00-8:00 hours and 13:00-15:00 hours daily. Initial SBT will be conducted in the same manner as once daily screening arm. Subsequent SBTs will be 30-120 minutes in duration and may be conducted with any one of the following techniques: T-piece, CPAP \< to 5 cm H2 O or PS \< 8 cm H2 O with PEEP \< 5 - 10 cm H2O. Higher levels of PEEP (8-10 cm H2O). Higher levels of PEEP (8-10 cm H2O) will be permitted (and recorded) to allow for clinician discretion in conducting SBTs in specific patients (e.g., obese, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and use of different humidification strategies. Each centre will be asked to choose one technique to be used for all patients enrolled at their centre.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Unity Health Toronto

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Karen EA Burns, MD, FRCPC · St. Michael's Hospital and the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SCREENING

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2015-01-31

Primary Completion

2015-09-30

Completion

2015-09-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations