Optimal outcome measures for a trial of not routinely measuring gastric residual volume in neonatal care: a mixed methods consensus process
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Routine measurement of gastric residual volume to guide feeding is widespread in neonatal units but not supported by high-quality evidence. Outcome selection is critical to trial design. OBJECTIVE: To determine optimal outcome measures for a trial of not routinely measuring gastric residual volume in neonatal care. DESIGN: A focused literature review, parent interviews, modified two-round Delphi survey and stakeholder consensus meeting. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one neonatal healthcare professionals participated in an eDelphi survey; 17 parents were interviewed. 19 parents and neonatal healthcare professionals took part in the consensus meeting. RESULTS: Literature review generated 14 outcomes, and parent interviews contributed eight additional outcomes; these 22 outcomes were then ranked by 74 healthcare professionals in the first Delphi round where four further outcomes were proposed; 26 outcomes were ranked in the second round by 61 healthcare professionals. Five outcomes were categorised as 'consensus in', and no outcomes were voted 'consensus out'. 'No consensus' outcomes were discussed and voted on in a face-to-face meeting by 19 participants, where four were voted 'consensus in'. The final nine consensus outcomes were: mortality, necrotising enterocolitis, time to full enteral feeds, duration of parenteral nutrition, time feeds stopped per 24 hours, healthcare-associated infection; catheter-associated bloodstream infection, change in weight between birth and neonatal discharge and pneumonia due to milk aspiration. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We have identified outcomes for a trial of no routine measurement of gastric residual volume to guide feeding in neonatal care. This outcome set will ensure outcomes are important to healthcare professionals and parents.
Date Issued
2021-04-20
Date Acceptance
2020-10-11
Citation
Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 2021, 106 (3), pp.292-297
ISSN
1359-2998
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Start Page
292
End Page
297
Journal / Book Title
Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition
Volume
106
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. This article has been accepted for publication in Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition following peer review. The definitive copyedited, typeset version: Gale C, Dorling J, Arch B, et al., Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 106(3), April 20, 2021, pp. 292-297, is available online at: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-319469
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33127738
PII: archdischild-2020-319469
Subjects
data collection
neonatology
qualitative research
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Date Publish Online
2021-10-30