https://www.resuscitationjournal.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0300-9572%2826%2900335-7
The NeoBeat randomized clinical trial was conducted at Stavanger University Hospital to evaluate if continuously displayed ECG heart rate starting from birth resulted in a higher proportion of newborns receiving ventilation within 60 sec. Videos of resuscitations were used to evaluate time to ventilation. Halfway through the trial, an anonymous solution for employee video deletion request was implemented, resulting in a surge of video deletions. To investigate possible selection bias, proxies for severity of birth asphyxia before and after introduction of the anonymous opt-out solution were compared. There were no differences in participant characteristics, but significantly higher Apgar scores, shorter duration of ventilation, and fewer admissions after implementation of the anonymous opt-out solution. The introduction of anonymous employee deletion of videos resulted in systematic differences among included newborns, strongly suggesting a selection bias. The trial was terminated halfway without power to conclude on outcomes.