Frequency of screening and SBT Technique Trial—North American Weaning Collaboration (FAST-NAWC): an update to the protocol and statistical analysis plan

Background This update summarizes key changes made to the protocol for the Frequency of Screening and Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) Technique Trial--North American Weaning Collaborative (FAST-NAWC) trial since the publication of the original protocol. This multicenter, factorial design randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation, will compare the effect of both screening frequency (once vs. at least twice daily) to identify candidates to undergo a SBT and SBT technique [pressure support + positive end-expiratory pressure vs. T-piece] on the time to successful extubation (primary outcome) in 760 critically ill adults who are invasively ventilated for at least 24 h in 20 North American intensive care units. Methods/design Protocols for the pilot, factorial design trial and the full trial were previously published in J Clin Trials ( Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT02399267. Keywords: Weaning, Spontaneous breathing trial, Screening, Randomized controlled trial, Successful extubation