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
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Date
2021-08-30
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
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.