Exploring if patients can safely and easily swab their own surgical wounds at home
This study explores if patients can safely and easily take a swab from their own heart surgery wound at home. After surgery, about one in ten patients develop wound problems like infections, which can delay healing, lead to hospital readmission, or further surgery. Swabbing the wound helps doctors identify bacteria and choose the right antibiotic. However, getting to a GP can be difficult, leading to delayed or incorrect treatment. This study wants to find out if home swabbing is a good solution. It will assess how easy the swabs are to use and if this approach could fit well into current healthcare practices. The goal is to improve wound care, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and ensure patients get timely, correct treatment.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When people have surgery, it's common for their wound to be a little slow to heal, or sometimes even get an infection. This can happen to about one in ten patients after an operation, and it can mean they need more time to recover, another visit to the hospital, or even more surgery.
Normally, if there's concern about a wound, a doctor or nurse would take a swab to find out if there are any germs causing an infection. Knowing what germs are present helps them pick the best medicine, like an antibiotic. However, it's not always easy to get an appointment quickly with a GP, which can sometimes delay treatment or mean people are given an antibiotic that isn't quite right. This can make the wound worse and also contribute to a bigger problem called antibiotic resistance, where antibiotics stop working as well.
This study wants to see if patients could safely and easily take these swabs themselves at home. By doing this, we hope to get information about wound infections much faster. This could lead to quicker and more accurate treatment, help wounds heal better, and possibly reduce the need for unnecessary antibiotics. It also aims to see if home swabbing is a practical and affordable way to improve wound care for everyone.
Key takeaways
- This study explores self-swabbing surgical wounds at home.
- It aims to improve timely infection detection and treatment after heart surgery.
- Participation involves a guided home swab and a short interview.
- The overall risks of taking part are low.
- It could lead to better wound care for many patients in the future.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have recently had heart surgery. To join, your chest wound from the surgery must be fully closed and healing well, as checked by one of the study team members. You might have had planned surgery or surgery for an urgent reason.
You can take part whether you're living at home or in a care home after your hospital stay. It's important that you are willing and able to understand and sign a consent form, and can follow the study steps, even if you don't have internet access.
However, some people won't be able to join. This includes if your wound is still open, very leaky, or showing signs of pus during the video check-up. You also can't take part if you've had emergency surgery, are still in hospital, or currently have a dressing covering your wound during the video call. People with certain health conditions that affect their immune system, or who are having cancer treatment, will also not be able to participate.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you recently had heart (cardiac) surgery?
- Is your chest wound from the surgery fully closed?
- Are you living at home or in a care home after your surgery?
- Are you able to understand and sign a consent form?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll first be asked to give your written permission by signing a consent form. This can happen before or after your heart operation. Once you're ready to leave the hospital and go home, you'll be given a special kit for swabbing your wound.
Within three weeks of going home, a research practitioner will guide you through how to use the swab kit. This will happen remotely, meaning you'll be connected by video call, and they'll watch and support you as you take the swab from your wound. The swab will then be sent to a hospital lab for testing. You'll also have a short chat (an interview) about your experience using the kit. About a month after your surgery, there will be a final check-up to see how your wound is healing and if there are any signs of infection. All these steps are designed to be as easy as possible for you.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (2)
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyLondon, England
- Royal Sussex County HospitalApproximateBrighton, England
Common questions
Why is this study important?
It wants to see if patients can easily swab their own surgical wounds at home to help doctors quickly identify infections and give the right treatment, potentially improving healing and reducing antibiotic resistance.
What kind of surgery do I need to have had to join?
You need to have had heart (cardiac) surgery, with a closed central chest wound, and be 18 years old or over.
Will I have to go to the hospital during the study?
No, you'll be given a swab kit to take home, and the swabbing process will be supported remotely via video call. The follow-up is also kept to a minimum.
How long will the study last for me?
You'll do the home swab within three weeks of leaving the hospital, and there'll be a follow-up check around 30 days after your surgery.
Who is paying for this research?
The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.
How to find out more
Melissa Rochon
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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