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The Randomisation Form

 

Scenario:

An elderly, underweight lady is admitted to hospital on the day of stroke. The stroke has affected her ability to swallow and she is now unable to take adequate fluids orally.

How will you feed her?  What are your uncertainties?

State of Uncertainty 1:
Should I feed the patient immediately or wait and see if the swallow recovers?  You will be asked if you have a type of tube preference.
Randomise her into Trial 2 (Early vs Delayed tube feeding)
How the Randomisation form will look     NG    Randomisation Form will look like this

 
                                                                                PEG    Randomisation Form will look like this
             
State of Uncertainty 2:
I want to tube feed now. Which type of tube should I use?
Randomise her into Trial 3 (NG vs PEG)
How the Randomisation form will look:          Randomisation form will look like this
State of Uncertainty 3:
Uncertain about both the timing and the type of tube?
Co-enrol her into Trials 2 and 3  (Early vs Delay tube feeding)  
How the Randomisation form will look:          Randomisation form will look like this
Continuing Scenario:
10 days later the patient's ability to swallow has improved. How will you feed her now?
State of Uncertainty 4:
Is the normal hospital diet enough?
Randomise her into Trial 1 (Normal Hospital Diet vs Normal Hospital Diet PLUS Supplements)
How the Randomisation form will look:           Randomisation form will look like this

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