Use of Red LED lights for difficult IV access in neonates and infants
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Use of Red LED lights for difficult intravenous access in neonates and infants
IRAS ID
162250
Contact name
Yuk L Chang
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South West London Academic Health and Social Care System
Research summary
This is a study to asses whether low cost Red LED lights, which were originally used for bicycles, could be used to help illuminate veins on small babies and infants in order to make the insertion of cannulas easier, quicker and safer. Small babies are often very difficult to cannulate as their veins can be difficult to visualise, but the LED lights shine through the skin and highlight the small veins which were previously invisible. These LED lights will be compared with existing techniques, which include a cold light which uses a similar principle but which is very expensive, less accessible, and prone to bacterial contamination. After identifying that a baby or infant is difficult to cannulate, the clinician will chose randomly between using old methods or the new lights. We will then be able to compare outcomes. We expect to show that the new lights are as effective as the cold lights currently in use. If we are able to show that they are equal, then there will be a clear benefit as they are potentially cleaner (completely enclosed in a clinical glove) and cheaper and can therefore be made more widely available.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1723
Date of REC Opinion
2 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion