A new clinical trial led by the University of Warwick and Queen’s University Belfast is seeking to find alternatives to ventilators to treat patients who are critically ill with COVID-19.
The RECOVERY-RS Respiratory Support trial, which aims to recruit approximately 4000 patients, is based on the theory that non-invasive interventions at an earlier stage may reduce the need for invasive ventilation with a mechanical ventilator.
The trial will compare standard care, intubation and invasive ventilation for critically ill patients, with other non-invasive treatment methods. The comparative data produced will provide a better understanding of which methods are most effective in reducing the need for invasive ventilation and for improving patient outcomes.
The trial is open to adults who are inpatients in NHS hospitals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
The Chief Medical Officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the NHS Medical Director have written to doctors strongly encouraging participation in the national randomised COVID-19 trials in COVID-19. In the letter to doctors, the CMOs “strongly discouraged” the use of off-licence treatments outside of a trial, where participation in a trial is possible.
“Use of treatments outside of a trial, where participation was possible, is a wasted opportunity to create information that will benefit others,” the letter states.
A list of UK COVID-19 studies is available here.
