Pressure Ulcer (PU)NCT07704710
The Effect of Pulse Oximeter Probe Replacement Interval on Pressure Injury Development in Intensive Care Patients
A study testing Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours and Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 Hours in people with Pressure Ulcer (PU), run by Emine Arici Parlak at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Pressure Ulcer (PU)
- What is being tested?
- Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours and Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 Hours
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 432 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2026to 25 Jul 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- Patients with severe peripheral edema
- Patients with dermatological conditions that impair skin integrity
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Univerisy of HelathSciences Turkiye Gulhane Faculty of Nursing
Ankara
About this study
Official title: "The Effect of Pulse Oximeter Probe Replacement Interval on Pressure Injury Development in Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial"
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.
Read the 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.
- Conditions
- Pressure Ulcer (PU)
- Being tested
- Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours, Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 Hours
- Keywords
- Pulse Oximetry, Intensive Care Units, Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury, Pulse Oximeter Probe, Pressure Injury Prevention
- Medical subject headings
- Pressure Ulcer
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 HoursDevice
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.
Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 HoursDevice
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | 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. Receives: Device: Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours |
| Control Group | Active comparator | 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. Receives: Device: Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 Hours |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: Up to 4 hours after pulse oximeter probe placement
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Jul 2026
- Primary completion1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion25 Jul 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Pressure Ulcer (PU)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 432 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Emine Arici Parlak
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Emine Arici Parlak, Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi Gulhane Tip Fakultesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07704710
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 1616161616
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- "The Effect of Pulse Oximeter Probe Replacement Interval on Pressure Injury Development in Intensive Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial"
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07704710
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 1616161616
- Conditions
- Pressure Ulcer (PU)
- Keywords
- Pulse Oximetry, Intensive Care Units, Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury, Pulse Oximeter Probe, Pressure Injury Prevention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 432 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Emine Arici ParlakUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 25 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Group | Experimental | Device: Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 HoursPatients 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. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Device: Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 HoursPatients 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Patients with severe peripheral edema
- Patients with dermatological conditions that impair skin integrity
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 HoursThe 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 | Intervention Group |
| Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 HoursThe 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. | Device | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Incidence of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury at the Pulse Oximeter Probe Site
Time frame: Up to 4 hours after pulse oximeter probe placement
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.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 2 Hours and Pulse Oximeter Probe Repositioning Every 4 Hours in people with Pressure Ulcer (PU), run by Emine Arici Parlak at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Incidence of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injury at the Pulse Oximeter Probe Site (time frame: Up to 4 hours after pulse oximeter probe placement). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jul 2026.