TREASURE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study to explore the safety, acceptability and potential cost effectiveness of self-swabbing at home to obtain usable surgical wound culture swabs
IRAS ID
356847
Contact name
Melissa Rochon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT)
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 28 days
Research summary
This study explores the feasibility and acceptability of patients self-swabbing their surgical wounds at home to improve timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of surgical site infections (SSIs). This research is highly relevant to patients and the public as it addresses poor access to wound swabbing services in the community, which currently leads to delayed or inappropriate antibiotic treatment. Such delays can worsen patient outcomes, increase healthcare burden, and contribute to antibiotic resistance. Enabling patients to self-swab could improve access to diagnostics, reduce travel and associated costs, and enhance patient autonomy and satisfaction.
This study focuses on surgical site infections—a common postoperative complication—and evaluates a proposed diagnostic improvement within postoperative wound care services. The procedure being tested is patient-performed wound swabbing at home using a self-swabbing kit developed through co-production with patients and staff. The kit includes swabs, water ampoule, hand gel, and labelling materials.
Eligible participants are post-surgical patients whose wounds meet inclusion criteria at the time of discharge from Harefield Hospital or the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The study will be conducted at two NHS hospitals—Harefield Hospital (25 patients) and Royal Sussex County Hospital (15 patients).
Participants will receive a self-swabbing kit at discharge or within 7 days after discharge. A research nurse will observe the self-swabbing via MS Teams, guiding patients to ensure proper infection prevention procedures. Swabs will then be sent for laboratory testing. Patients will complete a follow-up at 30 days post-surgery, including questionnaires, phone interviews, case note reviews, and, if applicable, GP confirmation of antibiotic use. The study also includes qualitative interviews with both patients and healthcare stakeholders. A health economic analysis will assess cost-effectiveness.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
25/WS/0079
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion