The Effect of Pulse Oximeter Probe Replacement Interval on Pressure Injury Development in Intensive Care Patients
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours, Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 Hours.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Pressure Ulcer (PU). Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
"The Effect of Pulse Oximeter Probe Replacement Interval on Pressure Injury Development in Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial"
Overview
Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are at increased risk of medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs) due to the prolonged use of monitoring devices. Pulse oximeter probes are routinely used for continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation and pulse rate and may contribute to pressure injury development when left in the same position for extended periods . Current international guidelines recommend regular assessment of the skin and repositioning of medical devices but do not specify an optimal repositioning interval. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of different pulse oximeter probe replacement intervals on the development of pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. The findings are expected to provide evidence to guide clinical practice and improve the prevention of medical device-related pressure injuries.
Detailed description
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive monitoring method that continuously measures arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and pulse rate using optical sensors placed on peripheral tissues. It is widely used in intensive care units (ICUs), operating rooms, and other critical care settings for continuous patient monitoring . Although essential for patient care, prolonged application of pulse oximeter probes to the same anatomical site may increase the risk of medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs), particularly in critically ill patients with impaired tissue perfusion, immobility, and fragile skin.
Medical device-related pressure injuries represent a substantial proportion of hospital-acquired pressure injuries and are associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and healthcare costs. International clinical practice guidelines recommend frequent skin assessment, regular repositioning of medical devices, prompt removal of unnecessary devices, and interventions to reduce pressure. However, these guidelines do not define an evidence-based interval for repositioning pulse oximeter probes, and current clinical practice varies considerably among healthcare institutions.
Several case reports have described tissue injury associated with prolonged pulse oximeter sensor application, including skin erosion and tissue necrosis at the finger, toe, ear, and forehead. Nevertheless, high-quality randomized controlled trials evaluating the optimal pulse oximeter probe replacement interval are lacking.
The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial is to determine whether different pulse oximeter probe replacement intervals influence the incidence of pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. The findings are expected to provide evidence for establishing standardized clinical protocols for pulse oximeter probe repositioning and contribute to the prevention of medical device-related pressure injuries in critically ill adults.
Interventions
- Device Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours
The pulse oximeter probe will be placed on the patient's right index finger and repositioned every 2 hours. After 2 hours, the probe will be removed, the skin will be assessed for pressure injury using the Skin Assessment Form, and the probe will be repositioned according to the study protocol. - Device Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 Hours
The pulse oximeter probe will remain in the same position for 4 hours in accordance with routine intensive care unit practice. After 4 hours, the probe will be removed, the skin will be assessed for pressure injury using the Skin Assessment Form, and routine care will continue.
Primary outcome measures
- Incidence of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury at the Pulse Oximeter Probe Site [Time frame: Up to 4 hours after pulse oximeter probe placement]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 18 years or older
- Written informed consent provided by the patient's legally authorized representative
- Patients monitored with a pulse oximeter in the intensive care unit (ICU)
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8 or less
- Expected or actual ICU stay of more than 72 hours
Exclusion criteria
- Patients with severe peripheral edema
- Patients with dermatological conditions that impair skin integrity
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Univerisy of HelathSciences Turkiye Gulhane Faculty of Nursing — Ankara
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07704710 · 1616161616