Computer-Aided, Non-Invasive, Acoustic Gastrointestinal Surveillance (AGIS) in ICU Patients

The AGIS device consists of two acoustic sensors placed on the abdomen to "hear" all segments of the abdominal cavity. Other sensor configurations are possible as needed. Initial testing of this device was conducted at UCLA and VA-Wadsworth under separate IRB approval; however, at this time, all remaining human subjects will be enrolled at CSMC only. We will collect AGIS data in patients undergoing GI abdominal surgery on the day of surgery and throughout their inpatient hospital course.

We will recruit patients who are already scheduled to undergo GI abdominal surgery. The AbStats/AGIS system will be utilized to measure and analyze bowel sounds and correlate with clinical findings. We will exclude subjects who cannot consent, have cognitive inability to follow directions, or have any abdominal wall condition that disallows topical coverage as deemed by the treating physician (e.g. abdominal wound, advanced cellulitis, etc.). We will obtain consent from the patient for incorporating the AGIS device during the inpatient stay. The technical staff will be oriented to the device. However, a physician member of our staff will be available at all times to help position the device if needed. A research coordinator will collect clinical data and enter the data into a secure spreadsheet. Study team members willcollect the following data from patient medical records once patients have consented for the study: Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, Body Mass Index (BMI), Abdominal symptoms per chart review, abdominal examination findings per chart review, days in the ICU, days in step down monitoring unit, days in ward, daily vital signs in proximity to the time device is worn, including temperature recordings, respiratory rate recordings, heart rate recordings, blood pressure recordings, and medication usage. Patient data pertaining to their return to bowel function will be abstracted, including: date/time bowel sounds first recorded in chart, date/time first flatus recorded in chart, date/time first bowel movement recorded in chart, date/time of any vomiting episodes, date/time oral diet initiated, amount of diet tolerating, need for placement of nasogastric decompression tubes. Patients will be asked to fill out diaries of their symptoms when possible.