PhD Candidate The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas, United States
Background: In the US, 10% of newborns require assistance establishing effective ventilation after birth, and about 1% need intensive resuscitation. Preterm births stand at roughly 10% globally, with underprivileged groups facing higher rates of early births and related health issues. It is has been long-known that exogenous oxygen must be dosed like any other drug during neonatal resuscitation, with the added complication that dosing must be guided by accurate measurements of oxygen saturation. However, current pulse oximeters are often slow to attach, necessitate adhesives on delicate skin, may need to open a newborn's tight fist, and require frequent repositioning to ensure accurate readings. Additionally, the neonatal resuscitation algorithm mandates ECG leads for heart rate monitoring, which is critical for guiding resuscitation efforts. Objective: Our team of clinicians and engineers has designed the PalmReader to address the downsides inherent in currently-used devices and is in the process of gathering information on the use of our device in the clinical setting. We aim to determine if our device’s readings correlate with FDA-cleared devices currently in use, determine the application time of the device, along with the integrated ECG and temperature monitoring features, assess the time to obtain an accurate reading and assess nursing user experience regarding efficiency in workflow, ease of application, ease of use, and attitudes regarding the re-designed device. Design/Methods: Our ongoing IRB-Approved study in Ascension-Seton Medical Center Austin's nursery involves newborns 35+ weeks gestational age. We're examining routine CCHD screening, noting device application and reliable reading times, alongside pulse oximetry data—captured live and via video for potential retrospective analysis. Staff interviews will gauge device usability and perceptions. Measurement accuracy will be compared using Bland-Altman analysis, and t-tests will assess timing efficacy. Initial participants have been studied, with full data collection due by year's end and analysis by early 2024.
