Browsing by Author "Chagaluka, George"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Restricted
    Clinical assessment of the accuracy and functionality of a low- cost, low-powered intravenous infusion monitor for gravity led Iv set in peadiatric oncology unit at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre Malawi
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2021-08-30) Chagaluka, George
    Type of study This is Non-randomised Control Trial aimed at assessing the accuracy of gravity led method of intravenous fluid administration between drip monitor vs no drip monitor (current standard of care) in children admitted in paediatric oncology unit. Problem Statement Traditional gravity led IV infusion method requires the nurse or caregivers to manually calculate the required flow rate and monitor the infusion at periodic intervals. Literature shows that gravity-flow IV infusion systems are highly inaccurate and wrong flow rate of administration was established as the most prevalent and significant problem in its use[1][2]. Inaccuracy may result into complications. On the other hand, commercial IV drip monitors remain a burden for Malawi and other low resource settings due to their high cost, complexity to use, high maintenance and training requirements and constant power outages. A team of collaborators from College of Medicine and MUST, are working on building an affordable and effective drip monitor with locally available materials to alleviate this burden. This study aims at assessing the potential of the drip monitor to improve the accuracy of IV fluid and medication administration compared to a traditional way of IV fluids administration. Objective The primary objective of this study is to assess the accuracy and functionality of a low-cost, lowpowered gravity led intravenous drip monitor compared to traditional method in paediatric oncology ward at Queen Elizabeth Centra Hospital, Blantyre.Our secondary objectives are to assess time taken to set up an IV infusion between drip monitor and without drip monitor, to determine factor contributing to error in accuracy and to assess associated adverse events. Methodology The type of research study: A prospective, non-randomized Trial, where eligible participants will be assigned to either drip monitor or no drip monitor group. Study place : The study will take place at paediatric oncology ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre in Southern Malawi Study population: Children admitted at oncology unit prescribed IV fluids and meeting the eligibility criteria. Study period: Approximately 3-4 months of data collection after College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC) approval. One week of pilot data collection will begin at QECH oncology ward following study approval by the COMREC. Following pilot study drip monitor will be implemented at the site. Data Management: The standard data collection tool, Open Data Kit (ODK), will be used to collect data for all enrolled participants. Data will be analysed on STATA version 14.0 and will be presented in form of charts, graphs and tables. Expected findings: We expect to find low accuracy in the tradition method of IV fluid administration (without drip monitor) and that the introduction of a low-cost drip monitor will demonstrate a significant improvement in the accuracy of IV gravity infusion method of administration of fluids. We are also anticipating a reduction in IV infusion associated adverse events to the intervention arm. Dissemination The final copy of the findings will be made available at COMREC, Ministry of Health, and Department of Paediatrics, QECH, where the data will be collected and the final copy will be presented at national and international conferences and published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.