ARM-ED: Advanced Respiratory Monitoring Events in Drug Toxicity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ARM-ED: Advanced Respiratory Monitoring Events in Drug Toxicity – An Emergency department Feasibility Study of the utilisation of a wearable device in patients with sedative effects of drugs
IRAS ID
303922
Contact name
David Lowe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS GGC
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
There is a drug-related death crisis in Scotland. The majority of these deaths have involved the misuse of opiates (e.g. heroin) and benzodiazepines (e.g. valium) which cause an individual to stop breathing. The Toxicology Advanced Research Study (TARS) study is a study investigating whether a wearable sensor can help detect problems with breathing in patients who have had drugs or medications that may cause this effect. We hope that information gathered during this study will help us to develop the device for future use in hospital and in certain community settings to detect people at risk of respiratory (breathing) failure and ultimately prevent their death.
The study will assess information gathered from patients who have attended Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Emergency Department for either of two reasons:
1) due to misuse of drugs to cause them to be drowsy or to have breathing difficulties or
2) Patients who have been given sedation and pain relief by doctors to assist in performing a painful procedure (e.g. reduction of joint dislocations or fractures)
Participation in the TARS study involves wearing the small (3cm) sensor for a period of time while the patient is in the Emergency Department. There will be no change to the standard care received by the patient. A researcher will be present during this period and will position the device and will observe vital signs and any events that occur during the period the sensor is in place. They will ask a series of questions to the patient regarding their health, social and drug history and will review electronic notes. At 28 days the researcher will look at the patients’ electronic health record for further information on outcomes. Data will be recorded in the electronic health records. That data would be anonymised (so that they can’t be identified).REC name
Scotland A: Adults with Incapacity only
REC reference
21/SS/0083
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jan 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion