RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

CRICKET: Critical Events in Anaesthetised Kids Undergoing Tracheal Intubation

The CRICKET study is investigating critical events that can happen when children, aged 0 to 16, have a breathing tube put in (tracheal intubation) while they are under general anaesthesia. This is a common and important procedure. Researchers are gathering information from hospitals around the world to understand how often these events occur and what they involve. They want to identify different techniques used and uncover ways to improve patient safety during intubation. The study quietly observes what happens in real-life medical care, without changing how doctors treat patients. The goal is to learn from current practices to make this procedure even safer for children everywhere.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Thomas Riva

Enrolment target

105,000

Start

08 Jan 2024

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2026

Intubation Complication Adverse Events

What is this study about?

Imagine your child needs an operation and will be given a general anaesthetic. When this happens, doctors sometimes need to put a soft tube into their windpipe to help them breathe – this is called tracheal intubation. It's a very common and usually safe procedure, but like any medical intervention, sometimes unexpected things can happen. This study, called CRICKET, is all about understanding these 'critical events' – any problems or difficulties that might occur during this process in children.

The researchers are looking at children aged 0 to 16 who are having this procedure in hospitals around the world. They want to find out how often these events happen and what exactly they are. They are also interested in the different methods doctors use to put in the breathing tube and how any problems are dealt with. By collecting all this information, the study hopes to learn valuable lessons and discover better ways to make tracheal intubation even safer for young patients.

It's important to know that this study is purely observational. This means the doctors and nurses will continue to provide care for your child exactly as they normally would. The study doesn't change any of the treatment your child receives. Instead, the medical team will simply record information about the intubation process. This quiet observation helps researchers understand what happens in real-world situations, ultimately aiming to improve safety standards for all children undergoing this type of procedure in the future.

Key takeaways

The CRICKET study observes breathing tube procedures in children.
It aims to identify common problems and improve safety during intubation.
Children aged 0-16 needing general anaesthesia are included.
Participation involves no extra tests or changes to medical care.
Data collected helps improve future care for all children.
Your child's information is kept private and secure.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for information from children who need a breathing tube put in while they are under general anaesthesia. This applies to any child from birth up to 16 years old who is undergoing a procedure requiring general anaesthesia and intubation.

To take part, the hospital or doctors must obtain consent, either from you (if you're a parent or guardian) or general permission, depending on what the local ethics committee requires. This committee makes sure studies are safe and ethical.

Children older than 16 years old cannot be included in this study. Also, if consent is needed and you or your child (if old enough) say no to taking part, or change your mind later, then your child would not be included.

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.

Is your child 16 years old or younger?
Does your child need a breathing tube for an upcoming operation under general anaesthesia?
Have you or the hospital given consent, if required, for data collection?
Is your child NOT older than 16 years of age?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If your child is included in this study, you won't need to do anything extra. This is an observational study, which means the medical team will simply collect information about your child's intubation procedure as part of their normal care. There are no extra hospital visits, assessments, medications, or follow-up appointments specifically for the study. The doctors and nurses looking after your child will fill out a short questionnaire if everything goes smoothly during intubation. If a critical event does happen, they will complete a slightly more detailed form about what occurred. All the information collected will be kept private and stored securely.

Potential risks and benefits

This study is observational, meaning it does not involve any changes to your child's medical care, so there are no direct risks to your child from participating. Similarly, there are no direct benefits to your child. However, the information gathered is very valuable for improving safety standards for children undergoing intubation in the future, which is a significant benefit for healthcare as a whole. You always have the right to decline participation or withdraw consent if it was initially given, and this will not affect your child's medical care.

Locations (8)

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine
Verified postcode
Boston, United States· Recruiting
Dept of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Verified postcode
Philadelphia, United States· Recruiting
Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Perth Children's Hospital
Verified postcode
Perth, Australia· Recruiting
Dept. Anesthesia, The Hospital for Sick Children
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Recruiting
Dept. Anesthesia, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting
Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin
Verified postcode
Berlin, Germany· Recruiting
Unité d'anesthésie pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants / HUG
Verified postcode
Geneva, Switzerland· Recruiting
Children's Hospital Zurich
Verified postcode
Zurich, Switzerland· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'tracheal intubation'?

It's when a soft tube is carefully placed into a child's windpipe (trachea) to help them breathe during an operation when they are under general anaesthesia.

What kind of 'critical events' are they looking for?

These are any unexpected problems or difficulties that might happen while the breathing tube is being put in or taken out, such as trouble placing the tube or changes in heart rate.

Will my child's treatment change if they are part of this study?

No, absolutely not. The study is purely observational, meaning doctors will care for your child exactly as they normally would. The study just collects information about that care.

Who can be in this study?

Children aged from newborn up to 16 years old who need a breathing tube for an operation. You might be asked for permission for your child's data to be included.

Is my child's information kept private?

Yes, all health information collected for the study is coded and stored in a secure electronic database to protect your child's privacy and keep their data safe.

How to find out more

Thomas Riva, Prof. Dr. med

thomas.riva@insel.ch +41316322111 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.