An interventional study of Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours and Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 Hours in Pressure Ulcer (PU), sponsored by Emine Arici Parlak. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-17.
Sponsored by Emine Arici Parlak · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
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.
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.
545 studies on the registry are indexed under Pressure Ulcer; 129 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 432 is above the median of 70 across 405 interventional studies indexed under Pressure Ulcer.
Browse Pressure Ulcer studies →Emine Arici Parlak is the lead sponsor of 2 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.
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Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients will have a pulse oximeter probe placed on the right index finger. The probe site will remain unchanged for 2 hours. At the end of the 2-hour period, the probe will be removed, and the skin will be assessed for pressure injury using the Skin Assessment Form.
Device: Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours
Patients will receive routine intensive care. The pulse oximeter probe will remain in the same position for 4 hours, consistent with standard ICU practice. At the end of the 4-hour period, the probe will be removed, and the skin will be assessed for pressure injury using the Skin Assessment Form.
Device: Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 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.
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.
Incidence of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury at the Pulse Oximeter Probe Site
The primary outcome is the incidence of medical device-related pressure injury (MDRPI) associated with pulse oximeter probe application in adult intensive care unit patients. Skin assessments will be performed using the Skin Assessment Form developed by the investigators based on the literature and the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) guidelines. The assessment includes: Presence or absence of medical device-related pressure injury Non-blanchable erythema Skin moisture Skin integrity Presence and severity of edema Tissue firmness Palpation findings Local skin temperature changes Pressure injury stage (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Deep Tissue Injury, or Unstageable) The incidence of pressure injury will be compared between patients whose pulse oximeter probe is repositioned every 2 hours and those whose probe is repositioned every 4 hours.
Time frame: Up to 4 hours after pulse oximeter probe placement
Plan to share: No
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Started Jul 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jul 2027, 12 months after the start.
Of 179 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Pressure Ulcer, half reached primary completion within 11 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 28. This study's planned 12 months is close to that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 209 studies reached it within 11 months; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 28.
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Emine Arici Parlak