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Implementation of the Intravitreal Injection Administered by Nurses

Implementation of the Intravitreal Injection Service Administered by Nurses: Safety and Satisfaction of the Patients Served

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06511700
Enrollment
200
Registered
2024-07-22
Start date
2025-01-15
Completion date
2026-06-30
Last updated
2025-03-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Diabetic Macular Edema, Macular Degeneration, Macular Edema

Keywords

Anti-VEGF, Intravitreal injection, Nurse, Age-related macular degeneration, Retinal vein occlusion, Diabetic macular edema, safety

Brief summary

Introduction: Intravitreal injections involve medication administration into the eye to treat ocular diseases and protect vision. Through an injection, the medication is introduced into the vitreous cavity, an area located at the back of the eye, behind the lens. The intravitreal injection (IVI) is a minimally invasive process administered at personalized regular intervals. It is a common procedure in ophthalmology for patients who require it. International experiences demonstrate that administering intravitreal injections, especially by nurses trained in aseptic techniques, is feasible without compromising patient safety. The project presented is based on a new care model rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration in the IVI process, operationalizing it as a functional unit. This is a great opportunity to expand the scope of practice for nurses and to demonstrate, as has been done in other countries, that the same procedure currently performed by ophthalmologists can be carried out with equal safety. Objective: To evaluate the safety of implementing a program incorporating nurses trained in administering intravitreal injections within the functional unit of Ophthalmology at Corporation Parc Tauli. Method: Observational evaluation study of a care process within the functional Ophthalmology Unit, consisting of protocol application for intravitreal injection by trained nurses. Data will be collected from users receiving care from the intravitreal injection service administered by nurses under a consensual procedure within the unit. Users meeting the inclusion criteria will be eligible. Nurses will be trained internally at CCSPT by the ophthalmology team. User participation will be voluntary. Informed consent will be obtained. Data collection during the process of care will include recording selected variables. Data collection will be carried out between 2024 and 2025. The study will be conducted over 3 years. Application and Impact: The development of this project will allow for a safe, more efficient redistribution of our resources. The functional unit is based on a group of professionals who work and make decisions jointly. The new distribution will enable ophthalmologists to expand their availability for more complex procedures. In the future, it is expected to increase the number of users who can benefit from the IVI service and to initiate advanced competencies in the role of the ophthalmology nurse.

Interventions

PROCEDUREIt is a implementation a program incorporating nurses trained in administering intravitreal injections within the functional unit of Ophthalmology following the usual technique

Internationally, some experiences demonstrate that the administration of intravitreal injections, especially by nurses trained in aseptic techniques, is feasible without compromising patient safety. Although there is already some experience in Spain, it is a new procedure within the nursing field of the Ophthalmology service for which no results have been reported.

Sponsors

Corporacion Parc Tauli
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum

Inclusion criteria

\- People over 18 years of age who require intravitreal therapy in the ophthalmology service

Exclusion criteria

* Non-collaborators in the technique for physical, psychological or nystagmus reasons. * Have recent evidence of blepharitis or conjunctivitis ≤15 days (ex, red eye or thick discharge) to avoid the risk of introducing infection into the eyeball. * Suffer ischemic heart disease or recent stroke ≤3 months to avoid the risk of precipitating another vascular ischemic attack. * With intravitreal steroid implant. * Pregnant women: Due to the potential teratogenic effect of anti-FCEV

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Complications presented during the IIV techniqueIn each injection during and after the procedure until the end of treatmentComplications presented during IIV 1.1 Pain from the placement of the blepharostat: It will be recorded as: 0=No ; 1=Yes 1.2 Pain during the injection: It will be recorded as: 0=No ; 1=Yes 1.3 Subconjunctival haemorrhage. It will be recorded as: 0=No ; 1=Yes 1.4 Post-injection ocular hypertension: It will be recorded as: 0=No ; 1=Yes 1.5 Other Complications (specified with free text)
Late post-procedure complicationsIn each injection during and after the procedure until the end of treatmentComplications that arise when users leave the service. In this case, users will be asked in subsequent visits about the complications presented. They can also be reviewed from the patient's medical history. 2.1. Pain: If pain appeared in the first 48h. It will be recorded using a Likert scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain and 10 maximum pain. 2.2 Subconjunctival haemorrhage: It will be recorded as: 0=No ; 1=Yes 2.3. Ocular hypertension: It will be recorded as: 0=No ; 1=Yes 2.4. Visual ability to perform AVDs: To assess the current state of their vision, we will be asked if they currently notice that they can do their usual activities better or not. It will be recorded as: 0= Worsening ; 1= Maintenance; 2= Improvement 2.5. Visit to the emergency room (or ophthalmology service) for problems after the IIV. It will be recorded as: 0=No ; 1=Yes, and free text that answer to what problem did they present.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Ocular DiagnosisAt the beginning of treatmentThe main diagnosis that makes IIV indicated. It will be recorded as free text.
Ocular comorbidityAt the beginning of treatmentPresence of another associated eye pathologies. It will be recorded as free text.
Previous experienceAt the beginning of treatmentWe will ask if the patient had received IIV therapy from an ophthalmologist some time ago. If so, it don't need to ask again. It will be recorded as: 0= No; 1=Yes
CompanionIn each injection until the end of the treatmentFamily presence at the session. It will be recorded as: 0= alone; 1=Accompanied
Visit to the ophthalmologist between therapiesIn each injection until the end of the treatmentInquiry about the patient's visit ophthalmologist between IIV sessions. Cycles of a specific number of sessions are usually scheduled and then they are visited at the ophthalmology consultation to review the effectiveness and maintenance of the treatment, being able to change the type of drug. It will be recorded as: 0=No; 1=Yes
Sociodemographic variablesAt the beginning of treatmentYears old, gender, family coexistence
Treated eyeIn each injection until the end of the treatmentRegistration of the eye that receiving the IIV: 0=right, 1=left, 2=both.
Ophthalmologist visit during the sessionIn each injection until the end of the treatmentThe responsible ophthalmologist must be available during IIV session for any questions that may arise. If any query has to be made it will be recorded: 0=No; =Yes. If so, the reason must be specified (free text).
IVI MedicationIn each injection until the end of the treatmentRecord of intravitreal medication administered. Record: 1 = Aflibercept (EYLEA®) ; 2= Bevacizumab (AVASTIN®); 3= Ranibizumab (LUCENTIS®); 4=Intravitreal Dexamethasone (OZURDEX®) 5= Others (specify). Drugs 1, 2 and 3 are drugs that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and will be the two that will initially begin IIV for the nurses. On the 4th, for the present presentation and special administrative provision, initially excluded from being administered by nursing, it will be administered in three sessions by ophthalmologists. During 2024, the addition of a new Anti-FEVG to the CCSPT, Faricimab (VABYSMO®), is planned, which is expected to be important from a quantitative point of view in the total IIV.
Patient PainIn each injection until the end of the treatmentPain that is present during IIV. It will be recorded using a Likert scale from 0 to 10, 0 no pain and 10 the most pain.
Patient SatisfactionIn each injection until the end of the treatmentNo validated questionnaire has been found in the literature to assess patient satisfaction with intravitreal therapy. Therefore, the criteria used by the study by Austen et al will be used in the consultation. They developed a simple satisfaction questionnaire in accordance with the guidelines for measuring the quality of health services. It consists of 2 questions with a Likert scale from 1 to 5, one related to satisfaction and the other to trust. In the case of answering with a low score, they are accompanied by a clarification question to improve these aspects (free text).
Anxiety levelIn each injection until the end of the treatmentAnxiety presented before the procedure. It will be evaluated using a Likert scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is minimum anxiety and 10 maximum anxiety.
Date of treatment indicationAt the beginning of treatmentThis is the date the procedure was indicated. It will be recorded as YYYY/MM/DD

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026