Chlorhexidine-impregnated Sponge Dressing for Prevention of Catheter Exit Site Infection in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients - a Pilot Study
Phase: NA
Conditions: Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Exit Site Infection
Sponsor: Singapore General Hospital

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CLINICAL TRIAL PROTOCOL 
 
PROTOCOL TITLE: 
 
Chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing for prevention of catheter exit site infection in 
incident peritoneal dialysis patients – a pilot study 
 
 
PROTOCOL VERSION:  
2.0 
PROTOCOL DATE:  
04 Oct 2017 
 
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:  
 
Htay Htay, Consultant, Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital 
 
 
CO-INVESTIGATORS: 
 
Mathini Jayaballa , Associate Consultant, Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital 
Ubaidullah Shaik Dawood , Consultant, Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital 
Ng Li Choo, senior nurse clinician, Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital 
Wu Sin Yan, nurse clinician, Department of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Table of Contents 
1 
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE................................................................................................. 5 
1.1 
GENERAL INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 6 
1.2 
RATIONALE AND JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY ...................................................................................... 6 
1.2.1 
RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY PURPOSE ................................................................................................... 6 
1.2.2 
RATIONALE FOR DOSES SELECTED ........................................................................................................ 7 
1.2.3 
RATIONALE FOR STUDY POPULATION .................................................................................................... 7 
1.2.4 
RATIONALE FOR STUDY DESIGN ........................................................................................................... 7 
2 
HYPOTHESIS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................. 7 
2.1 
HYPOTHESIS ................................................................................................................................... 7 
2.2 
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................... 7 
2.3 
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................... 7 
2.4 
POTENTIAL RISKS AND BENEFITS: ........................................................................................................ 8 
2.4.1 
POTENTIAL RISKS ............................................................................................................................ 8 
2.4.2 
POTENTIAL BENEFITS ........................................................................................................................ 8 
3 
STUDY POPULATION .................................................................................................................. 8 
3.1 
LIST THE NUMBER AND NATURE OF SUBJECTS TO BE ENROLLED. .................................................................. 8 
3.2 
CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS ......................................................................... 8 
3.3 
INCLUSION CRITERIA ........................................................................................................................ 8 
3.4 
EXCLUSION CRITERIA ........................................................................................................................ 8 
3.5 
SUBJECT REPLACEMENT ..................................................................................................................... 9 
4 
STUDY DESIGN ........................................................................................................................... 9 
4.1 
RANDOMISATION AND BLINDING .......................................................................................................... 9 
4.2 
CONTRACEPTION AND PREGNANCY TESTING ............................................................................................ 9 
4.3 
STUDY VISITS AND PROCEDURES ......................................................................................................... 9 
4.3.1 
SCREENING VISITS AND PROCEDURES ................................................................................................... 9 
4.3.2 
STUDY VISITS AND PROCEDURES ......................................................................................................... 9 
4.3.3 
FINAL STUDY VISIT: ......................................................................................................................... 9 
4.3.4 
POST STUDY FOLLOW UP AND PROCEDURES .......................................................................................... 10 
4.4 
DISCONTINUATION/WITHDRAWAL ...................................................................................................... 10 
4.4.1 
DISCONTINUATION CRITERIA ............................................................................................................ 10 
4.4.2 
DISCONTINUATION VISIT AND PROCEDURES ......................................................................................... 10 
5 
TRIAL MATERIALS .................................................................................................................... 10 
5.1 
TRIAL PRODUCT (S) ....................................................................................................................... 10 
5.2 
STORAGE AND DRUG ACCOUNTABILITY ................................................................................................ 10 
6 
TREATMENT .............................................................................................................................. 10 
6.1 
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION OF DOSE .................................................................................................. 10 
6.2 
STUDY DRUG FORMULATIONS ........................................................................................................... 11 
6.3 
STUDY DRUG ADMINISTRATION ......................................................................................................... 11 
6.4 
SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS / REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................... 11 
6.5 
BLINDING .................................................................................................................................... 11 
6.6 
CONCOMITANT THERAPY .................................................................................................................. 11 
7 
SAFETY MEASUREMENTS.......................................................................................................... 11 
7.1 
DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................................ 11 
7.2 
COLLECTING, RECORDING AND REPORTING OF ADVERSE EVENTS AND SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS TO CIRB .......... 11 

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7.3 
SAFETY MONITORING PLAN .............................................................................................................. 12 
7.4 
COMPLAINT HANDLING .................................................................................................................... 12 
8 
DATA ANALYSIS........................................................................................................................ 12 
8.1 
DATA QUALITY ASSURANCE .............................................................................................................. 12 
8.2 
DATA ENTRY AND STORAGE .............................................................................................................. 13 
9 
SAMPLE SIZE AND STATISTICAL METHODS ............................................................................. 13 
9.1 
DETERMINATION OF SAMPLE SIZE ...................................................................................................... 13 
9.2 
STATISTICAL AND ANALYTICAL PLANS ................................................................................................. 13 
10 
DIRECT ACCESS TO SOURCE DATA/DOCUMENTS .................................................................... 13 
11 
QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE ...................................................................... 13 
12 
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS ..................................................................................................... 13 
12.1 
INFORMED CONSENT....................................................................................................................... 14 
12.2 
CONFIDENTIALITY OF DATA AND PATIENT RECORDS ............................................................................... 14 
13 
PUBLICATIONS ......................................................................................................................... 14 
14 
RETENTION OF TRIAL DOCUMENTS ......................................................................................... 14 
15 
FUNDING AND INSURANCE ...................................................................................................... 15 

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PROTOCOL SIGNATURE PAGE 
 
 
 
Protocol Title: Chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing for prevention of catheter exit site 
infection in incident peritoneal dialysis patients – a pilot study 
 
 
Protocol Version:  
Version 2.0 
 
Version Date:   
04 Oct 2017 
 
 
 
Declaration of Investigator 
 
I confirm that I have read the above-mentioned protocol and its attachments. I agree to conduct the 
described trial in compliance with all stipulations of the protocol, regulations and Singapore Guideline for 
Good Clinical Practice (SGGCP). 
 
  
 
 
Principal Investigator Name:  _____Htay Htay_____________________________________ 
                                                            
 
Principal Investigator Signature:  ___________Htay____________________________ 
                                                            
 
Date:  ______04.10.2017____________________________________ 
                                                            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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1 
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE 
 
Peritoneal dialysis-related infection is one of the commonest reasons for patients to discontinue 
peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy(1). Prevention of infection is of paramount importance for a 
successful PD programme. The catheter ESI can lead to tunnel tract infection and subsequently 
peritonitis, which is one of serious complications in PD(2,3). The International Society for 
Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) guidelines recommends regular application of topical antimicrobial 
agents, including mupirocin or gentamicin at the catheter exit-site to prevent ESI(4). However, the 
use of mupirocin has been reported to be associated with increased incidence of drug resistant 
micro-organisms(5–7). The mupirocin was used as the topical antimicrobial agents for exit-site care 
for PD patients in Singapore General Hospital before the period of 2013. However, the use of 
mupirocin was withdrawn from the hospital due to increasing evidence of methicillin-resistent 
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which was attributed to the increased use of mupirocin cream(7). 
Similarly, the use of gentamicin was reported to have a trend towards increased incidence of fungal 
exit site infection (8). Hence, the alternative antimicrobial agent is warranted to prevent the ESI in 
PD patients 
 
References 
1.  
Kavanagh D, Prescott GJ, Mactier RA. Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis in Scotland 
(1999-2002). Nephrol Dial Transplant [Internet]. 2004 Oct 1 [cited 2017 May 6];19(10):2584–91. 
Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15304559 
2.  
Mehrotra R, Singh H. Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis with Simultaneous Exit-Site 
Infection. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol [Internet]. American Society of Nephrology; 2013 Jan 1 [cited 
2017 May 6];8(1):126–30. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22956266 
3.  
van Diepen ATN, Tomlinson GA, Jassal S V. The Association between Exit Site Infection and 
Subsequent Peritonitis among Peritoneal Dialysis Patients. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol [Internet]. 
2012 Aug 1 [cited 2017 May 6];7(8):1266–71. Available from: 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22745277 
4.  
Li PK-T, Szeto CC, Piraino B, de Arteaga J, Fan S, Figueiredo AE, et al. ISPD Peritonitis 
Recommendations: 2016 Update on Prevention and Treatment. Perit Dial Int [Internet]. 
Multimed Inc; 2016 [cited 2017 Mar 14];36(5):481–508. Available from: 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27282851 
5.  
Babu T, Rekasius V, Parada JP, Schreckenberger P, Challapalli M. Mupirocin Resistance among 
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-Colonized Patients at Admission to a Tertiary Care 
Medical Center. J Clin Microbiol [Internet]. 2009 Jul 1 [cited 2017 May 6];47(7):2279–80. 
Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19474267 
6.  
Annigeri R, Conly J, Vas S, Dedier H, Prakashan KP, Bargman JM, et al. Emergence of 
mupirocin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients using mupirocin 
prophylaxis to prevent exit-site infection. Perit Dial Int [Internet]. [cited 2017 May 6];21(6):554–
9. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11783763 
7.  
Hon PY, Koh TH, Tan TY, Krishnan P, Leong JW-Y, Jureen R, et al. Changing molecular 
epidemiology and high rates of mupirocin resistance among meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus 
aureus in Singaporean hospitals. J Glob Antimicrob Resist [Internet]. 2014 Mar [cited 2017 May 

Version 2.0, Dated 04 Oct 2017 
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6];2(1):53–5. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27873639 
8.  
Bernardini J, Bender F, Florio T, Sloand J, Palmmontalbano L, Fried L, et al. Randomized, 
Double-Blind Trial of Antibiotic Exit Site Cream for Prevention of Exit Site Infection in 
Peritoneal Dialysis Patients. J Am Soc Nephrol [Internet]. 2005 Jan 12 [cited 2017 May 
6];16(2):539–45. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15625071 
 
1.1 General Introduction 
 
Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial agent which is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-
negative micro-organisms(1,2). The use of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing at central venous 
catheter exit site has been reported to  significantly reduce the catheter-related infection in a 
meta-analysis(3). Moreover, the chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing is required to change 
once a week only. There is no previous study on the role of chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge 
dressing in the prevention of exit-site infection in PD patients. 
 
References  
 
1.  
Weinstein RA, Milstone AM, Passaretti CL, Perl TM. Chlorhexidine: Expanding the 
Armamentarium for Infection Control and Prevention. Clin Infect Dis [Internet]. 2008 Jan 15 
[cited 2017 May 6];46(2):274–81. Available from: 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18171263 
2.  
Russell AD, Day MJ. Antibacterial activity of chlorhexidine. J Hosp Infect [Internet]. 1993 Dec 
[cited 2017 May 6];25(4):229–38. Available from: 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7907620 
3.  
Safdar N, O’Horo JC, Ghufran A, Bearden A, Didier ME, Chateau D, et al. Chlorhexidine-
Impregnated Dressing for Prevention of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection. Crit Care Med 
[Internet]. 2014 Jul [cited 2017 May 6];42(7):1703–13. Available from: 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24674924 
 
1.2 Rationale and Justification for the Study 
 
 
1.2.1 Rationale for the Study Purpose 
 
Catheter-related infection is one of the common reasons for peritoneal dialysis patients to 
discontinue PD therapy. The use of topical antibiotics cream at the catheter exit-site is 
recommended by International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis to prevent exit-site infection. 
However, the daily use of antibiotics cream at exit-site is reported to be associated with 
emergence of drug resistance organisms. Hence, the alternative antimicrobial agent (antiseptic) 
is needed to prevent exit-site infection in PD patients. In addition, the requirement of daily use 
of the cream by patients may potentially results in poor adherence to antibiotics application. 
Chlorhexidine is antiseptic agent and is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative 
organisms.  The chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing is required to change once a week 
only. There is no previous study on the role of chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing in 
the prevention of exit-site infection in PD patients. 
 

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1.2.2 Rationale for Doses Selected 
 
 
In the present study, the chlorheidine impregnated sponge will be changed once every 7 days as 
previous randomized study showed non-inferiority of 7 days versus 3 days dressing change in 
prevention of catheter-related blood stream infection in critically ill adult patients (1) 
 
1. Timsit, J.-F. et al. Chlorhexidine-impregnated sponges and less frequent dressing changes for 
prevention of catheter-related infections in critically ill adults: a randomized controlled trial. 
JAMA 301, 1231–1241 (2009). 
 
1.2.3 Rationale for Study Population 
 
Incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients will be recruited in the study. This is to prevent the 
cross over effect of topical antibiotics in the prevalent PD patients.  
1.2.4 Rationale for Study Design 
 
The prospective cohort study is proposed as it is a pilot study only. 
 
2 
HYPOTHESIS AND OBJECTIVES 
 
2.1 Hypothesis 
 
We hypothesize that the use of weekly chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing at the catheter 
exit site is safe and effective in the prevention of exit site infection in incident peritoneal dialysis 
patients 
 
 
2.2 Primary Objectives 
 
The primary aim of study is to examine the exit-infection rate in patients using chlorhexidine-
impregnated sponge dressing. 
 
 
2.3 Secondary Objectives 
 
The secondary aim of the study is to examine the time to the first episode of exit-site infection, 
peritonitis rate, time to first episode of peritonitis, infection-related hospitalization, technique 
failure rate, mortality and adverse events and patient satisfaction with the use of chlorhexidine-
impregnated sponge dressing 
 

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2.4 Potential Risks and Benefits:  
 
2.4.1 Potential Risks 
The common reported risk with use of chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing is local skin 
irritation or contact dermatitis. The rare adverse event includes severe contact dermatitis which 
required removing the dialysis catheter, generalised allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock. 
 
2.4.2 Potential Benefits 
Chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing can potentially be benefit for patients who are at 
high risk for exit site infection due to inability to clean the exit site daily including elderly, obese 
patients, patients with poor visual acuity etc. The use of weekly chlorhexidine-impregnated 
sponge dressing will also free patient from daily cleaning of exit site, which might provide extra-
time for patients to enjoy other activities and potentially may improve the quality of life.  
With the data collected from this pilot study, an adequately powered randomised controlled trial 
could be conducted to compare the effectiveness of once a week chlorhexidine-impregnated 
sponge dressing with daily topical anti-microbial cream in preventing exit site infection. If 
successful, our study has the potential to change current clinical practice and improve patient’s 
outcomes. 
 
3 
STUDY POPULATION 
 
3.1       List The Number and Nature of Subjects to be Enrolled.  
Total of fifty incident peritoneal dialysis patients follow-up at Singapore General Hospital will 
be recruited for study. 
 
3.2      Criteria for Recruitment and Recruitment Process 
 
Potential participants will be referred by their treating physicians during admission to hospital 
for initiation of peritoneal dialysis or from clinic. The eligible patients will be approached by one 
of investigators for recruitment and informed consent will be taken from the patients.  
 
3.3      Inclusion Criteria 
 
All adult incident peritoneal dialysis patients between 21 to 90 years old, who are followed up in 
Singapore General Hospital 
  
3.4     Exclusion Criteria 
 
Patients with the following conditions will be excluded from the study 
1. patients who have known history of allergy to chlorhexidine 
2. patients who had previous history of peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site infection 
3. patients with mentally challenging conditions who are unable to give the valid consent for 
the study  
4. patients who have been involved in the another study for exit site infection 

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3.5     Subject Replacement 
There will be no replacement for participants who dropout from study for various reasons. 
 
 
4      STUDY DESIGN 
This a single centre, prospective cohort study.  
 
4.1 
Randomisation and Blinding 
Not applicable 
4.2 
Contraception and Pregnancy Testing 
Not applicable 
4.3 
Study Visits and Procedures 
The participant will be followed up at 2, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks of study and during each 
visit, the catheter exit-site will be examined by one of the investigators for any sign of infection 
or allergic reaction, and questionnaires about satisfaction with use of study material (biopatch) 
will be asked by a study team member at the 12 week of study. Each participant will be followed 
up for one year. After one-year of study period, there will not be additional follow-up for study 
purpose, however, participants will be continued followed up in SGH as per routine PD 
patients’ schedule.   
 
4.3.1 Screening Visits and Procedures 
Potential participants will be referred by their treating physicians during admission to hospital 
for initiation of peritoneal dialysis or from clinic. Potential participants will be screened by one 
of investigators for recruitment and informed consent will be taken from the patients if eligible. 
No additional visit or additional blood test is needed for screening the participants.  
 
4.3.2 Study Visits and Procedures 
If potential participant is agreeable to participate in the study, the informed consent will be 
taken and participant will be taught how to use the chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing 
by investigator. The chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge will be applied at the catheter exit-site. 
Participants will be observed for half an hour for anaphylactic reaction in the peritoneal dialysis 
centre after the application of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing for the first time. Participants 
will be instructed to report any allergic reaction or discomfort or itchiness at the catheter exit-
site. Participants will be instructed to change the sponge dressing at once a week, unless the 
dressing is soiled. Participant will be required to visit clinic at per schedule described above, and 
to be assessed by the investigator for any adverse effect and any sign of infection at catheter exit 
at each clinic visit. 
 
4.3.3 Final Study Visit: 
 
The final visit will be 52 week of study. There will be no additional procedure or instruction to 
participants with regards to the study during the final visit. However, participants will be taught 

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how to use the standard exit-site care as per centre protocol.  
 
4.3.4 Post Study Follow up and Procedures 
There will be no additional follow up for participants for study purpose. However, participants 
will be followed up as per routine clinic schedule for PD patients as per centre protocol.  
 
4.4 
Discontinuation/Withdrawal 
 
4.4.1 Discontinuation Criteria 
 
The participant will be discontinued from the study if he or she develops adverse effects related 
to the use of chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing, which includes local cutaneous skin 
reaction at exit-site, contact dermatitis at exit-site or developed exit-site infection. 
  
4.4.2 Discontinuation Visit and Procedures 
 
If participant is withdrawn from the study due to adverse effects, he/she will be treated as per 
routine recommended practice for the adverse event and will be scheduled to follow up in 
clinic. The frequency and interval of follow up will be depended on the clinical condition.  
If participant voluntarily withdrawal from the study, he/she will be followed up as per routine 
clinic schedule, which is once every 3 months. 
 
5 
TRIAL MATERIALS 
 
The chlorhexidine impregnated sponge, named biopatch, is a protective disk (2.5 cm x 0.7 cm), 
which is hydrophilic polyurethane absorptive foam with chlorhexidine gluconate, in average of 
86.8mg per disk. 
  
5.1 
Trial Product (s) 
Refer to package insert in Appendix 2. 
 
5.2 
Storage and Drug Accountability 
 
The product (biopatch) should be stored between 15C and 30C (59F and 86F), in the original 
packing. The expiratory date of product is indicated as year (4 digits) and month (2 digits). The 
product expires after the last day of the month indicated. The study material (biopatch) will be 
kept in the store room with temperature of 23 to 25 C, in peritoneal dialysis centre.  
 
6 
TREATMENT 
6.1 
Rationale for Selection of Dose 
The biopatch disk (chlorhexidine impregnated sponge) comes with 3 sizes, (2.5 x 0.4cm; 92mg) 
(2.5 x 0.7cm; 52.5mg) (1.9 x 1.5 cm; 86.8mg). The outer diameter of the peritoneal dialysis 
catheter is 0.5cm, hence, the disk with larger diameter (2.5 x 0.7 cm with 86.8mg of 
chlorhexidine gluconate) will be used in the study.  
 

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6.2 
Study Drug Formulations 
The study material, which is chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge, comes with sterile package. 
Each package contains a single disk. The participants will be provided with sufficient number of 
packages to be used till the next clinic appointment.  
 
6.3 
Study Drug Administration 
 
The skin around the catheter exit-site will be cleaned with 10% provodine iodine swabstick as 
per centre protocol, followed by drying the skin with sterile gauze. Then place the 
chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge (biopatch) around the catheter with blue printed side is 
facing upward and the white foam side, which releases the chlorhexidine gluconate, should be in 
contact with the skin. 
 
6.4 
Specific Restrictions / Requirements  
Not applicable 
6.5 
Blinding 
Not applicable 
 
6.6 
Concomitant therapy 
Any topical cream used at the catheter exit-site will be documented. 
 
7 
SAFETY MEASUREMENTS 
7.1 
Definitions 
An adverse event (AE) is any untoward medical occurrence in a patient or clinical investigation 
subject administered a pharmaceutical product and which does not necessarily have a causal 
relationship with this treatment. 
 
A serious adverse event (SAE) or reaction is any untoward medical occurrence that at any dose: 
 results in death 
 is life-threatening 
 requires inpatient hospitalisation or prolongation of existing hospitalisation 
 results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity or 
 is a congenital anomaly/birth defect 
 is a medical event that may jeopardize the patient and may require medical or surgical 
intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above. 
 
7.2 
Collecting, Recording and Reporting of Adverse Events and Serious Adverse 
Events to CIRB  
 
Reporting of adverse events involves the PI submitting to the approving CIRB the completed 
SAE Reporting Form within the stipulated timeframe. PI is responsible for informing the 
institution representative (local SAE resulting in death), sponsor or regulatory bodies as 
required and appropriate. 

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Reporting timeline to CIRB:  
 
 SAE that result in death, regardless of causality, should be reported immediately - within 
24 hours of the PI becoming aware of the event.  
 Local life-threatening (unexpected/ expected) SAE should be reported no later than 7 
calendar days after the Investigator is aware of the event, followed by a complete report 
within 8 additional calendar days. 
 Local unexpected SAE that are related events, but not life-threatening, should be 
reported no later than 15 calendar days after the investigator is aware of the event. 
 An increase in the rate of occurrence of local expected SAE, which is judged to be 
clinically important, should be reported within 15 calendar days after the PI is aware of 
the event.  
 Local expected SAE should be reported annually (together with Study Status Report for 
annual review). 
 Local unexpected and unlikely related SAE that are not life-threatening should also be 
reported annually (together with Study Status Report for annual review). 
 Local unexpected AE that are related events should be reported at least annually 
(together with Study Status Report for annual review). 
 Non-local unexpected SAE that are fatal or life threatening and 
definitely/probably/possibly related should be reported not later than 30 calendar days 
after the PI is aware of the event. 
 
7.3 
Safety Monitoring Plan 
 
Patient’s wellbeing and safety will be taken into considerations continuously during the trial 
period. If there is any contraindication observed during the interim of the study procedure that 
requires the discontinuation of the procedure, decision shall be made by the PI and Co-
Investigators to discontinue the patient from the study. 
 
 
7.4 
Complaint Handling  
 
Complaints will be handled by individual investigators who have direct contact with the patient 
and/ or have recruited the patient for the study. 
 
Effort will be made by the PI or co-investigators in the study team to explain carefully the study 
procedure and visits to avoid any confusion. 
 
8 
DATA ANALYSIS 
8.1 
Data Quality Assurance 
 
All measurements will be performed by experienced operators and the data quality will be 
assessed at the time of acquisition. 
 

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8.2 
Data Entry and Storage 
 
Electronic data will be stored in a secure database in the Department of Renal Medicine. The 
use of the data from the study will be controlled by the principal investigator. 
 
9 
SAMPLE SIZE AND STATISTICAL METHODS 
 
9.1 
Determination of Sample Size  
 
This is just a pilot study only and hence there is no calculation of sample size and power.  
 
9.2 
Statistical and Analytical Plans 
a. General Considerations 
The primary outcome, which is exit-site infection rate, will be analysed using the Poisson 
regression and the secondary outcomes, time to first episodes of exit site infection, time to the 
episode peritonitis will be analysed by Cox regression and Kaplan Meier survival curve with log 
rank 
 
b. Safety Analyses 
The exit-site infection rate of the study cohort will be compared with the exit-site infection of 
historical cohort to examine any significant difference between two cohort in term of infection 
and adverse effects. 
 
c. Interim Analyses 
 No interim analyses will be performed for this pilot study. 
 
d. Describe the types of statistical interim analyses, including their timing. 
NA 
 
10 
DIRECT ACCESS TO SOURCE DATA/DOCUMENTS 
 
The investigator(s)/institution(s) will permit study-related monitoring, audits and/or IRB review 
and regulatory inspection(s), providing direct access to source data/document. 
 
11 
QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE 
 
The data will be collected by research coordinators/investigators using the excel sheet at a 
regular interval of once a month. Principal investigator will be responsible for evaluation of data 
quality and data evaluation will be done once every 3 month. 
 
12 
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS 
 
This study will be conducted in accordance with the ethical principles that have their origin in 
the Declaration of Helsinki and that are consistent with the Singapore Good Clinical Practice 
and the applicable regulatory requirements. 
 
This final study protocol, including the final version of the Patient Information and Informed 
Consent Form, must be approved in writing by the Centralised Institutional Review Board 

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Page 14 of 19 
(CIRB), prior to enrolment of any patient into the study. 
 
The principle investigator is responsible for informing the CIRB of any amendments to the 
protocol or other study-related documents, as per local requirement. 
 
12.1 Informed Consent 
 
Consent will be taken by PI or other study team members involved in consent taking, such as 
other delegated renal doctors in the study after patient eligibility has been confirmed. An 
English informed consent form (ICF) will be used for consent taking. For non-English 
speakers, a translator will translate the ICF and an impartial witness will witness the consent 
taking process. For illiterate or non-writing individual, they can use thumbprints instead of 
signatures and an impartial witness will be present when consent is taken. 
 
12.2 Confidentiality of Data and Patient Records 
 
The information or data related to participants will be kept strictly confidential. The participants 
will be de-identified in the data collection form. 
 Electronic data will be stored in a secure database in Singapore General Hospital. The use of 
the data from the study will be controlled by the PI. 
 
13 
PUBLICATIONS 
 
The outcome of this study will be presented at national and international meetings and 
published in peer-reviewed journals. We would consider authorship to include all of the 
following: 1) conception and design or analysis and interpretation of data, or both; 2) drafting of 
the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content; and 3) final approval of 
the manuscript submitted. Participation solely in the collection of data does not justify 
authorship but may be appropriately acknowledged in the Acknowledgment section. 
 
14 
RETENTION OF TRIAL DOCUMENTS 
 
Records for all participants, including CRFs, all source documentation (containing evidence to 
study eligibility, history and physical findings, laboratory data, results of consultations, etc.) as 
well as IRB records and other regulatory documentation will be retained by the PI in a secure 
cupboard with locker. The records will be made accessible for inspection and copying by 
authorized authorities. We will retain the records for all participants, including CRFs, all source 
documentation (containing evidence to study eligibility, history and physical findings, laboratory 
data, results of consultations, etc.) as well as IRB records and other regulatory documentation 
should be retained by the PI in a secure storage facility for at least 15 years after the study 
closes. 
 
All electronic data is stored securely in our in-house database. All hard copies of data will be 
stored under lock and key in the respective PI and Co-I’s hospital. 
 

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15      FUNDING and INSURANCE 
 
The study is funded by Singhealth NIG grants. 

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List of Attachments 
 
Appendix 1 
Study Schedule 
Appendix 2 
Package Insert  
 
 

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Appendix 1: Visit Schedule 
 
 
 
Visit number 
Week of study 
1 
2 
2 
6 
3 
12 
4 
24 
5 
36 
6 
52 
 
 

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Appendix 2: Package Insert 
 
 

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