Accuracy of the Welch Allyn ConnexSpot Monitor in Measuring Respiratory Rate in the Emergency Department
Evaluation of the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor in Measuring Respiratory Rate in the Emergency Department: a Prospective Observational Study Protocol
1 other identifier
observational
170
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This prospective observational study will evaluate the accuracy of the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor equipped with a Masimo SpO₂ finger sensor in measuring respiratory rate in the emergency department. Respiratory rate is a key predictor of patient deterioration, yet it is frequently measured inaccurately when assessed manually. In this study, respiratory rate values obtained by the monitor will be compared against manual counts performed by trained observers (physicians). An additional analysis will compare respiratory rates measured by trained observers with those recorded by triage nurses during triage. A subgroup analysis will also investigate whether cardiac arrhythmias influence measurement accuracy. The aim is to examine if respiratory rates measured by the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor are comparable to those obtained by trained observers and triage nurses in the emergency department.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for all trials
Started Dec 2025
Shorter than P25 for all trials
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
December 1, 2025
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
December 10, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
December 23, 2025
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
January 1, 2026
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
February 1, 2026
CompletedDecember 23, 2025
October 1, 2025
1 month
December 10, 2025
December 10, 2025
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Agreement between respiratory rate values measured by the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor and manual counts performed by trained observers (reference standard)
Respiratory rate will be measured simultaneously using the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor and by trained observers performing manual counting over 60 seconds. Agreement between the two methods will be assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis to evaluate bias and limits of agreement.
During the emergency department visit (single measurement per participant).
Secondary Outcomes (2)
Agreement between respiratory rate values measured by trained observers and those recorded by triage nurses during triage
During the emergency department visit (single measurement per participant).
Agreement between respiratory rate values measured by the Welch Allyn Connex Spot Monitor and manual counts performed by trained observers in patients with ECG-confirmed arrhytmias
During the emergency department visit (single measurement per participant).
Eligibility Criteria
The study will be conducted on patients admitted to the Emergency Department of Semmelweis University.
You may qualify if:
- \- all patients aged ≥18 years.
You may not qualify if:
- patients receiving invasive or non-invasive respiratory support;
- patients with disorders causing involuntary movements;
- skin or digit abnormalities preventing proper application of the pulse oximeter;
- clinically unstable patients on arrival (requiring immediate transfer to the resuscitation area);
- patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Dr. Rapszky Gabriella Annalead
- Semmelweis Universitycollaborator
Study Sites (1)
Department of Emergency Medicine, Semmelweis University
Budapest, 1082, Hungary
Related Publications (9)
Semler MW, Stover DG, Copland AP, Hong G, Johnson MJ, Kriss MS, Otepka H, Wang L, Christman BW, Rice TW. Flash mob research: a single-day, multicenter, resident-directed study of respiratory rate. Chest. 2013 Jun;143(6):1740-1744. doi: 10.1378/chest.12-1837.
PMID: 23197319BACKGROUNDLoots FJ, Dekker I, Wang RC, van Zanten AR, Hopstaken RM, Verheij TJ, Giesen P, Smits M. The accuracy and feasibility of respiratory rate measurements in acutely ill adult patients by GPs: a mixed-methods study. BJGP Open. 2022 Dec 20;6(4):BJGPO.2022.0029. doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2022.0029. Print 2022 Dec.
PMID: 35944945BACKGROUNDEdmonds ZV, Mower WR, Lovato LM, Lomeli R. The reliability of vital sign measurements. Ann Emerg Med. 2002 Mar;39(3):233-7. doi: 10.1067/mem.2002.122017.
PMID: 11867974BACKGROUNDBadawy J, Nguyen OK, Clark C, Halm EA, Makam AN. Is everyone really breathing 20 times a minute? Assessing epidemiology and variation in recorded respiratory rate in hospitalised adults. BMJ Qual Saf. 2017 Oct;26(10):832-836. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2017-006671. Epub 2017 Jun 26.
PMID: 28652259BACKGROUNDLeuvan CH, Mitchell I. Missed opportunities? An observational study of vital sign measurements. Crit Care Resusc. 2008 Jun;10(2):111-15.
PMID: 18522524BACKGROUNDChurpek MM, Yuen TC, Park SY, Meltzer DO, Hall JB, Edelson DP. Derivation of a cardiac arrest prediction model using ward vital signs*. Crit Care Med. 2012 Jul;40(7):2102-8. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e318250aa5a.
PMID: 22584764BACKGROUNDGoldhill DR, McNarry AF, Mandersloot G, McGinley A. A physiologically-based early warning score for ward patients: the association between score and outcome. Anaesthesia. 2005 Jun;60(6):547-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2005.04186.x.
PMID: 15918825BACKGROUNDMochizuki K, Shintani R, Mori K, Sato T, Sakaguchi O, Takeshige K, Nitta K, Imamura H. Importance of respiratory rate for the prediction of clinical deterioration after emergency department discharge: a single-center, case-control study. Acute Med Surg. 2016 Nov 10;4(2):172-178. doi: 10.1002/ams2.252. eCollection 2017 Apr.
PMID: 29123857BACKGROUNDGoldhill DR, White SA, Sumner A. Physiological values and procedures in the 24 h before ICU admission from the ward. Anaesthesia. 1999 Jun;54(6):529-34. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.1999.00837.x.
PMID: 10403864BACKGROUND
Related Links
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- observational
- Observational Model
- OTHER
- Time Perspective
- PROSPECTIVE
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- subinvestigator (PhD student, resident)
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
December 10, 2025
First Posted
December 23, 2025
Study Start
December 1, 2025
Primary Completion
January 1, 2026
Study Completion
February 1, 2026
Last Updated
December 23, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-10