Extubation Advisor: Initial Implementation and Evaluation of a Novel Extubation Clinical Decision Support Tool

Overview

Expeditious, safe extubation is vitally important in the care of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients, as prolonged mechanical ventilation harms patients and failed extubation (i.e. re-intubation within 48 hrs) is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and costs. The urgent need to improve extubation failure is further highlighted by current observations suggesting that COVID-19 patients are at increased risk of both early and late extubation failure. The investigators previously found that decreased respiratory rate variability (indicative of reduced adaptability and/or increased stress) during Spontaneous Breathing Trials (SBTs) predicted extubation failure and outperformed the best available predictive indices. Combining this predictive analytic with standardized extubation readiness checklists and risk mitigation strategies, the investigators created the Extubation Advisor (EA). The investigators recently completed a single-center phase I mixed methods observational study (n=117) wherein there was demonstrated technical feasibility (i.e. ability to generate 92% EA of reports) and clinician acceptance of the EA tool. In the current open-label, multi-center interventional phase I study, the investigators will assess the feasibility and initial perceptions of EA implementation in the intensive care unit by (1) evaluating the feasibility of patient enrolment, data collection, and EA report generation, and (2) performing a mixed-methods analysis of critical care physician and respiratory therapist perceptions of EA. Findings from this study will inform a future randomized controlled trial assessing EA outcomes compared to standard of care, with the intent of aiding bedside decision-making, enhancing care delivery, and improving outcomes in critically ill patients with and without COVID-19.