A Phase 1/2 interventional study of TrachPhone Heat Moisture Exchange and Trach Collar in Patient Satisfaction and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, sponsored by University of South Florida. Not yet recruiting at 2 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-01.
Sponsored by University of South Florida · Phase 1/2, Interventional, and Treatment
This study is being conducted at Tampa General Hospital. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of TrachPhone Heat Moisture Exchange (HME) on both patient satisfaction as well as improved pulmonary function with tracheostomized head and neck cancer patients. Enrolled participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group using a computer-generated randomization list. Participants will be assigned to groups sequentially in the order they are enrolled. As a participant in the experimental group, we will consult you during your stay in the hospital at most 2 times for monitoring per standard of care and collection of data. As a participant in the control group, we will consult with you during your stay 2 times for monitoring as part of standard of care.
The research on the TrachPhone HME for tracheostomized patients are limited (Kearney, et al, 2023). Furthermore, this research study is highly warranted to demonstrate that the use of an HME filter for tracheostomized patients improves pulmonary function and can even allow patients to voice, improving their quality of life.
The purpose of the use of Trachphone for tracheostomized head and neck cancer patients in the post-operative acute care setting to improve pulmonary rehabilitation, pulmonary function and improve patient satisfaction. The TrachPhone is a multifunctional HME providing heat and moisture, it has a speaking valve function, integrated oxygen supply port, integrated tracheal suctioning port allowing for tracheal suctioning without having to remove the HME, and foam filter.
Following surgery, eligible patients will be identified and approached by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) during the post-operative period (days 1-3). Patients who express interest will be provided with a full explanation of the study, after which written informed consent will be obtained prior to enrollment. Enrolled participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group using a computer-generated randomization list. Participants will be assigned to groups sequentially in the order they are enrolled.
Randomized controlled clinical trial for 80 tracheostomized head and neck cancer patient within post operative day 1-3 (40 participants in the control group not using Trachphone and 40 participants in the experimental group with TrachPhone HME application).
Experimental Group (TrachPhone HME) Within post-operative days 1-3, participants assigned to the experimental group will be fitted with the TrachPhone Heat and Moisture Exchanger (HME), placed directly on the open tracheostomy. At enrollment, baseline data will be collected, including vital signs, completion of the Tracheostomy Wellbeing Score (TWS), and suctioning frequency as documented in the electronic health record (Epic). Participants will wear the TrachPhone continuously as tolerated, per nursing communication order. The SLP will conduct a follow-up assessment 1-2 days prior to or on the day of decannulation or discharge, at which time vital signs, TWS, and suctioning frequency will be reassessed.
Control Group (Standard Trach Collar).
Participants assigned to the control group will receive standard tracheostomy care with a trach collar in place. At enrollment, identical baseline measures will be collected, including vital signs, TWS completion, and suctioning frequency via Epic nursing documentation. Participants will wear the trach collar continuously as tolerated, per nursing communication order. The SLP will conduct a follow-up assessment 1-2 days prior to or on the day of decannulation or discharge, collecting the same outcome measures as baseline.
Procedures conducted is per standard of care assessing vitals of a tracheostomized patient. The procedures that will be conducted solely for the purpose of the study will be use of TrachPhone HME, monitoring frequency of required suctioning and vitals, and providing patient with a Tracheostomy Wellbeing Score.
877 studies on the registry are indexed under Patient Satisfaction; 202 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 80 is below the median of 96 across 624 interventional studies indexed under Patient Satisfaction.
Browse Patient Satisfaction studies →University of South Florida is the lead sponsor of 340 studies on the registry; 65 are open to participants now.
Of its 17 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 4 (24%) have results posted.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Within post-operative days 1-3, participants assigned to the experimental group will be fitted with the TrachPhone Heat and Moisture Exchanger (HME), placed directly on the open tracheostomy. At enrollment, baseline data will be collected, including vital signs, completion of the Tracheostomy Wellbeing Score (TWS), and suctioning frequency as documented in the electronic health record (Epic). Participants will wear the TrachPhone continuously as tolerated, per nursing communication order. The SLP will conduct a follow-up assessment 1-2 days prior to or on the day of decannulation or discharge, at which time vital signs, TWS, and suctioning frequency will be reassessed.
Device: TrachPhone Heat Moisture Exchange
Participants assigned to the control group will receive standard tracheostomy care with a trach collar in place. At enrollment, identical baseline measures will be collected, including vital signs, TWS completion, and suctioning frequency via Epic nursing documentation. Participants will wear the trach collar continuously as tolerated, per nursing communication order. The SLP will conduct a follow-up assessment 1-2 days prior to or on the day of decannulation or discharge, collecting the same outcome measures as baseline.
Device: Trach Collar
The purpose of the use of Trachphone for tracheostomized head and neck cancer patients in the post-operative acute care setting to improve pulmonary rehabilitation, pulmonary function and improve patient satisfaction. The TrachPhone is a multifunctional HME providing heat and moisture, it has a speaking valve function, integrated oxygen supply port, integrated tracheal suctioning port allowing for tracheal suctioning without having to remove the HME, and foam filter.
A tracheostomy collar (or trach collar) is a flexible plastic mask that fits over a tracheostomy tube in the neck to deliver humidified oxygen or room air to a patient who is breathing on their own
The effectiveness of Trachphone HME on both patient satisfaction as well as improved pulmonary function with tracheostomized head and neck cancer patients.
To describe the effectiveness of TrachPhone Heat Moisture Exchanger (HME) on patient satisfaction via completion of the completion of the Tracheostomy Wellbeing Score (TWS). The Tracheostomy Well-Being Score (TWBS) is a 12-item patient-reported questionnaire designed to measure the impact of a tracheostomy on a patient's well-being across six key domains. It is intended for use in critically ill patients and other tracheostomized individuals to assess subjective comfort and quality of life. Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (0-3) based on frequency of occurrence (Never = 0, Sometimes = 1, Often = 2, Always = 3). Higher total scores indicate greater perceived burden or discomfort.
Time frame: From perioperative day 2 to day of hospital discharge day.
The effectiveness of Trachphone HME on both patient satisfaction as well as improved pulmonary function with tracheostomized head and neck cancer patients.
To describe the effectiveness of TrachPhone Heat Mositure Exchanger (HME) on pulmonary rehabilitation post-op for head and neck cancer patients by collecting data on vital signs (respiratory rate (RR) , heart rate (BPM) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) as well as suction frequency.
Time frame: From perioperative day 2 through day of hospital discharge day.
Plan to share: Yes
Supporting information: Study protocol, Clinical study report
Start is estimated for Oct 2026; primary completion for Oct 2027, 12 months later.
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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