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Placement of Antibiotic Powder in Wounds During the Emergency Room

Phase 4
Recruiting
Conditions
Open Fracture
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT03765567
Lead Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Brief Summary

This is the first prospective controlled study to determine whether the topical application of vancomycin powder reduces infection-related complications when applied to open fracture injuries in the acute emergency department setting.

Detailed Description

Open fracture injuries are highly susceptible to infection and infection-related complications. The current routine treatment for these injuries includes the use of systemic IV antibiotics. However, open fracture injuries often have compromised blood supply, reducing the amount of antibiotic that reaches the target tissue while increasing risk of injury to non-target organs. This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early application of a topical vancomycin antibiotic powder on open fracture wounds, in combination with the usual treatment, in reducing the risk of infection seen in these injuries.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria
  • Subject or Legal Authorized Representative (LAR) is willing and able to provide written informed consent.
  • Adult 18 years of age or older.
  • Open fracture of the humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and/or fibula.
  • 24 hours or less has elapsed from the estimated time of injury to study intervention.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Time from injury > 24 hours.
  • Subjects who have received acute operative care (e.g., washout in the operating room or fixation) of the open fracture at an outside facility.
  • Subject or LAR speaks neither English nor Spanish. Note that subjects that are unable to participate in the consent process (e.g. intoxication, poly-trauma, will be enrolled into the observational arm where passive data collection will occur).
  • High-potency antibiotic powder or solution applied to the wound prior to enrollment. Simple ointment (i.e., bacitracin ointment) or antibiotic-impregnated dressings will be permitted.
  • Documented allergies or serious reactions to vancomycin. History of uncomplicated "red man syndrome" will not be considered a reason for exclusion.
  • Pregnant subjects. If the subject is a female of childbearing potential, and she states that she is likely to be pregnant, a pregnancy test will be performed; if negative, the subject will be eligible for enrollment.
  • Prisoners.
  • Participation in other clinical research involving investigational antimicrobial products within 30 days of randomization.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention ArmVancomycinSubjects randomized to the Intervention Arm will receive usual care plus two (2) grams of Vancomycin powder administered topically. In the emergency room prior to surgical intervention, a qualified member of the study team or clinical team member will apply 2 grams of vancomycin powder directly to the open fracture site such that all visible surfaces of the wound are completely and uniformly covered, including bone edges.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Deep-space infection rate at prophylaxis siteWithin one year of injury date

The percentage of participants who develop an infection of the study open fracture requiring post-operative surgical intervention within one year of injury.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Readmission rate for open fracture infectionWithin one year of injury date

The percentage of participants who are readmitted to the hospital due to infection or complication of the study open fracture. Included in this assessment is sepsis and sepsis-related conditions arising from an open fracture infection.

Death rateWithin one year of injury date

The rate of death among participants from presumed or documented open fracture site infection, determined by documentation through reliable diagnostic means.

Superficial infection rate requiring post-operative medical interventionWithin one year of injury date

The percentage of participants who develop an infection of the study open fracture that requires post-operative medical intervention, including addition or change of antibiotic, bedside application of incision \& drainage, needle aspiration, and bedside application of a drain.

Unplanned repeat visit rateWithin one year of injury date

The percentage of participants who experience an unscheduled medical encounter related to open fracture-site infection.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University Hospital

🇺🇸

San Antonio, Texas, United States

San Antonio Military Medical Center

🇺🇸

San Antonio, Texas, United States

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