A clinical trial led by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has found that an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automated oxygen delivery system helped hospitalised patients spend significantly more time within their target oxygen range compared with standard oxygen therapy. The findings were published in JAMA Internal Medicine and presented at the Military Health System Research Symposium.

The multicentre SAVE-O2 AI trial enrolled 300 adults receiving supplemental oxygen across four U.S. hospitals, including UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either standard clinician-managed oxygen therapy or automated oxygen adjustment using the O2matic PRO100 system.

The automated system continuously monitored patients' blood oxygen levels using pulse oximetry and adjusted oxygen flow in real time without requiring manual intervention. Patients using the system spent 85% of their time within the prescribed oxygen range, compared with 63% for those receiving standard care. The automated group also experienced less time with low oxygen levels (hypoxaemia) and high oxygen levels (hyperoxaemia), while requiring fewer manual oxygen adjustments. No increase in serious adverse events was reported.

The study included patients admitted with acute respiratory illness, traumatic injuries, burns and those recovering from surgery who required supplemental oxygen. In routine hospital practice, oxygen flow is generally adjusted manually by nurses or respiratory therapists during scheduled assessments, allowing oxygen levels to fluctuate between checks.

Researchers found that continuous automated adjustment improved the precision of oxygen delivery throughout the day and night. The technology may also reduce the workload of healthcare professionals by limiting the need for repeated manual oxygen adjustments, although further studies will evaluate its impact on clinical workflow.

The findings build on previous research by the CU Anschutz Combat Medicine Research Center, which has investigated safer oxygen management strategies for critically ill and injured patients. The technology is also being explored for use in military medicine, where limited resources and demanding clinical environments can make manual oxygen management more challenging.

The research team plans to further evaluate the automated oxygen delivery system in emergency transport and pre-hospital settings.

The study was conducted in collaboration with UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Oregon Health & Science University and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The trial was funded by the U.S. Defense Health Agency through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium, with additional support from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The O2matic PRO100 system remains an investigational device in the United States and has not received U.S. FDA clearance or approval for commercial use.

 

Source: prnewswire.com

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