We are doing a research study because we want to find out whether air filters prevent winter infections in care home residents.
Are we eligible for this study?
If you are a Care Home, have more than 20 older residents, and are not part of any other research study you could be eligible.
How do we know our Residents are eligible for this study?
Residents should be 65 years or older. They might require a consultee to act on their behalf to consent them to the study.
What does taking part mean for the Care Home?
You will be invited to join the trial by one of the central research study team. The Care Homes in the trial will be randomly allocated into the ‘air filter‘ or the ‘usual care‘ group before any research starts. We will ask you whether we can place an air filter into the communal space of the Care Home and also into the resident’s private room.
What happens in the ‘Air Filter’ group?
We will place a filter into a communal space within the Care Home. With your agreement, we will collect some information about the care home staff and residents. This will happen at the start and end of the study.
What does taking part mean for the Care Home Residents in the ‘Air Filter’ group?
With your agreement, we would place the air filter in your bedroom and collect data for one winter (from September until April).
What happens in the ‘Usual Care’ group?
In the ‘usual care’ group, the Care Home or the residents won’t have an air filter. But with your agreement, we will collect some information about the care home staff and residents. This will happen at the start and end of the study. This arm of the study is very important so that we can compare both study arms to determine whether having an air filter does prevent infections in a Care Home setting.
Overview of the Study Pathway
How do I take part?
If you are interested in taking part in this research and have any further questions, please email afric-study@bristol.ac.uk where you will be able to talk to someone from the central research team.