Marian C Brady1, David Stott2, Christopher J Weir3,4, Campbell Chalmers5, Petrina Sweeney6, Cam Donaldson7, John Barr8, Marion Barr8, Alex Pollock1, Sheena McGowan1, Naomi Bowers1, Peter Langhorne2. 1. Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. 2. Academic Section of Geriatric Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. 3. Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. 4. Edinburgh Health Services Research Unit, Edinburgh, UK. 5. NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. 6. Dental School, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. 7. Yunus Centre for Social Business & Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. 8. NMAHP Research Unit, Stroke Rehabilitation Research Advisory Group, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Stroke-associated pneumonia, a leading cause of hospital-acquired infection after stroke, affects a fifth of stroke survivors annually. Associated with increased risk of death and poorer rehabilitation outcomes, research suggests a possible relationship between stroke-associated pneumonia and patients' oral health. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of the clinical and cost effectiveness of enhanced oral healthcare vs. usual oral healthcare for people in stroke care settings. DESIGN: Our pilot, multicentered, pragmatic, stepped wedge, cluster randomized controlled trial oral healthcare [Stroke Oral healthCare pLan Evaluation (SOCLE II)] will compare enhanced oral healthcare intervention and usual oral healthcare. Over 13 months, across 4 wards, we seek to recruit 400 patients (estimating an average of 23 beds per site and a 50% recruitment rate) and 60 nursing staff (estimating an average of 20 members of staff per site and a 75% recruitment rate). Initially, control data (usual oral healthcare) will be collected from all sites. In a randomized, stepped manner, wards will convert to deliver the enhanced oral healthcare intervention. STUDY OUTCOME(S): Outcomes will be captured across dimensions of care (as recommended for evaluations of complex interventions) at baseline and weekly thereafter. Primary outcomes are pneumonia (patients), knowledge and attitudes (staff), and specialist dental referrals (service). Secondary outcomes include oral health quality of life, plaque, antibiotics, length of stay, death (patients), use of oral healthcare equipment and products, completed assessments, and documented oral healthcare plans (staff). DISCUSSION: As one of the first stepped wedge, cluster randomized, controlled trials in stroke care mapping of the complex intervention, our choice of primary and secondary outcomes and choice of trial design are described.
RCT Entities:
RATIONALE: Stroke-associated pneumonia, a leading cause of hospital-acquired infection after stroke, affects a fifth of stroke survivors annually. Associated with increased risk of death and poorer rehabilitation outcomes, research suggests a possible relationship between stroke-associated pneumonia and patients' oral health. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of the clinical and cost effectiveness of enhanced oral healthcare vs. usual oral healthcare for people in stroke care settings. DESIGN: Our pilot, multicentered, pragmatic, stepped wedge, cluster randomized controlled trial oral healthcare [Stroke Oral healthCare pLan Evaluation (SOCLE II)] will compare enhanced oral healthcare intervention and usual oral healthcare. Over 13 months, across 4 wards, we seek to recruit 400 patients (estimating an average of 23 beds per site and a 50% recruitment rate) and 60 nursing staff (estimating an average of 20 members of staff per site and a 75% recruitment rate). Initially, control data (usual oral healthcare) will be collected from all sites. In a randomized, stepped manner, wards will convert to deliver the enhanced oral healthcare intervention. STUDY OUTCOME(S): Outcomes will be captured across dimensions of care (as recommended for evaluations of complex interventions) at baseline and weekly thereafter. Primary outcomes are pneumonia (patients), knowledge and attitudes (staff), and specialist dental referrals (service). Secondary outcomes include oral health quality of life, plaque, antibiotics, length of stay, death (patients), use of oral healthcare equipment and products, completed assessments, and documented oral healthcare plans (staff). DISCUSSION: As one of the first stepped wedge, cluster randomized, controlled trials in stroke care mapping of the complex intervention, our choice of primary and secondary outcomes and choice of trial design are described.
Authors: Caroline A Kristunas; Karla Hemming; Helen Eborall; Sandra Eldridge; Laura J Gray Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2019-01-10 Impact factor: 4.615
Authors: Marian C Brady; David J Stott; Christopher J Weir; Campbell Chalmers; Petrina Sweeney; John Barr; Alex Pollock; Naomi Bowers; Heather Gray; Brenda Jean Bain; Marissa Collins; Catriona Keerie; Peter Langhorne Journal: Int J Stroke Date: 2019-09-30 Impact factor: 5.266