Design, implementation, and analysis considerations for cluster-randomized trials in infection control and hospital epidemiology: A systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In cluster-randomized trials (CRT), groups rather than individuals are randomized to interventions. The aim of this study was to present critical design, implementation, and analysis issues to consider when planning a CRT in the healthcare setting and to synthesize characteristics of published CRT in the field of healthcare epidemiology.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to identify CRT with infection control outcomes.

Results

We identified the following 7 epidemiological principles: (1) identify design type and justify the use of CRT; (2) account for clustering when estimating sample size and report intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)/coefficient of variation (CV); (3) obtain consent; (4) define level of inference; (5) consider matching and/or

SUBMITTER: O'Hara LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6897299 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature