Innovative Taping Technique for Catheter Complications

Overseen by Pete Kovatsis, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Boston Children's Hospital

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized study to assess the ability of taping methods used to secure intravenous (IV) catheters to resist the IV from being pulled away from the skin. Participants will have IV catheters taped on top of the skin (without insertion into the skin) using three taping methods, BCH Emergency Department (BCH ED), Chevron, and our novel method. Six measurements will be obtained per subject (3 random taping methods measuring their resistance to force in two directions, retrograde direction or towards the wrist and 90-degree angle to the arm).

Research Team

Pete Kovatsis, MD

Principal Investigator

Boston Children's Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for Boston Children's Hospital employees who haven't been part of the study before, don't have fragile or damaged skin near their elbow crease (antecubital fossa), aren't excessively hairy there, and don't have allergies to adhesive materials.

Inclusion Criteria

Employees of Boston Children's Hospital

Exclusion Criteria

Individuals under the direct supervision of any study investigators

Individuals with fragile and/or non-intact skin in/near the antecubital fossa region

You have too much hair in the inner elbow area of your arm.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• BCH Emergency Department Taping Method (Procedure)
• Chevron Taping Method (Procedure)
• Novel Taping Method (Procedure)

Trial Overview The study is testing three different ways to tape IV catheters: a new method being developed, the current BCH Emergency Department method, and the Chevron method. It measures how well each can keep an IV in place against forces pulling it in different directions.

Participant Groups

Group I: Retrograde Directional Test Active Control 3 Interventions

Subjects during the Retrograde Directional Test will have the three taping methods placed on their left and/or right antecubital fossa region to superficially secure an IV catheter (i.e., the catheter will be placed on top of the participant's skin and not in the vein but will be taped as if the catheter was placed intravenously). Six total measurements will be obtained of which three will be using the Retrograde Directional Test (i.e., each taping method will undergo testing for each directional method). The order of placing the different taping methods and the direction testing will be randomized.

Group II: 90 Degrees Directional Test Active Control 3 Interventions

Subjects during the 90 Degrees Directional Test will have the three taping methods placed on their left and right antecubital fossa region, superficially taping an IV catheter (i.e., the catheter will be placed on top of the participant's skin and not in the vein but will be taped as if the catheter was placed intravenously). Six total measurements will be obtained of which three will be using the 90 Degrees Directional Test (i.e., each taping method will undergo testing for each directional method). The order of placing the different taping methods and the direction testing will be randomized.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston Children's Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

801

Recruited

5,584,000+

Dr. Kevin B. Churchwell

Boston Children's Hospital

Chief Executive Officer since 2021

MD from Vanderbilt Medical School

Dr. Sarah Pitts

Boston Children's Hospital

Chief Medical Officer since 2019

MD from Harvard Medical School