USING A DECISION-MAKING SYSTEM TO SUPPORT THE MANAGEMENT OF FEVER AND ACUTE PAIN IN CHILDREN

FEVER is a single-center, prospective, open-label, pre-market, pivotal, single-arm study aimed at demonstrating how the use of an algorithm integrated with a medical device (Puntofarma®), given specific input, can improve the appropriateness and adherence to pharmacological therapy with paracetamol for the management of fever and acute pain in patients between 3 months and 1 day and 5 years of age. The algorithm for digital pharmacological support was developed based on therapeutic guidelines.

The study lasts seven days from the date of enrollment of the individual patient.

Upon admission to the emergency room for an episode of fever and/or acute pain, provided that all eligibility criteria are met, and following receipt of signed informed consent, the investigator will propose the study to the patient's family members or caregivers. The patient will be managed according to clinical standards regarding the presenting condition. Participation in the study, or refusal, will not result in any changes to the flow or management of the patient as required by the current clinical condition or current standards.The study will begin immediately upon the patient's discharge from the emergency room.

After signing the informed consent form, the patient and caregiver will be enrolled in the study and registered in the Puntofarma® system, resulting in the issuance of a unique code.

No personal data of the patient and/or caregiver will be recorded on the device. At the same time, each enrolled patient will be issued a PIN code through which the caregiver will be able to register in the digital application and begin using the algorithm from their mobile/digital device. Caregivers will be asked to enter the information in the application necessary for the algorithm to calculate the recommended dose of paracetamol. The application, which can be downloaded to a mobile phone, is used to verify adherence to the antipyretic therapy suggested by the algorithm, which is based on the guidelines for the management of fever and acute pain in children.

No follow-up visits, tests, or additional services are scheduled during the seven-day investigation. Seven days after patient enrollment, at the conclusion of the study, the parent/caregiver will be given a questionnaire (also via the app) to assess the usability and caregiver satisfaction with the use of the app.

The app includes an optional diary, relating to fever, pain, or other symptoms/events, in which it is also possible to record additional information and to report adverse events or device defects.

Inclusion criteria

• Pediatric patients, male or female, between 3 months and 1 day and 5 years of age, who have a fever and are prescribed paracetamol, or who have already received a prescription for an antipyretic from an outside physician before accessing the emergency room.
• Pediatric patients, male or female, between 3 months and 1 day and 5 years of age, who have acute pain and are prescribed paracetamol, or who have already received a prescription for an analgesic from an outside physician before accessing the emergency room.
• Pediatric patients whose caregivers have knowledge of the Italian language.
• Pediatric patients whose caregivers have access to the internet and have a smartphone that is either the latest generation or no older than five years.

Exclusion criteria

• Pediatric patients, male or female, aged less than 3 months and over 5 years.
• Pediatric patients who have experienced adverse reactions or contraindications to paracetamol administration.
• Pediatric patients whose caregivers have little or no knowledge of the Italian language.
• Pediatric patients whose caregivers do not have internet access or do not have a latest-generation smartphone or, in any case, one no older than five years.