A simple tool may help preemies eat faster and leave the NICU sooner

NCT ID NCT07136610

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a standardized feeding assessment tool, called the SMART Tool, can help premature and medically complex infants develop oral feeding skills more quickly. The tool is being integrated into hospital electronic records, and all NICU staff are being trained to use it. Researchers want to see if this leads to fewer days on tube feeding, shorter hospital stays, and safer feedings for thousands of infants.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: SMART Tool feeding skill assessment integrated into electronic health records with staff training
What this could lead to: If successful, this tool could help premature infants develop feeding skills faster, shorten hospital stays, and reduce stress for families.
What could go wrong: This is an implementation study, not a drug trial, so results depend on staff adoption and consistency. The tool may not improve outcomes for all infants.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Breast Feeding Premature Birth

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING

Contacts and locations

Locations

Advocate Christ Medical Center (Advocate Children's Hospital - Oak Lawn)
RECRUITING

Oak Lawn, Illinois, 60453, United States
Advocate Condell Medical Center
RECRUITING

Libertyville, Illinois, 60048, United States
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
RECRUITING

Barrington, Illinois, 60010, United States
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge)
RECRUITING

Park Ridge, Illinois, 60068, United States
Advocate Sherman Hospital
RECRUITING

Elgin, Illinois, 60123, United States
Advocate Trinity Hospital
RECRUITING

Chicago, Illinois, 60617, United States
Aurora BayCare Medical Center
RECRUITING

Green Bay, Wisconsin, 54311, United States
Aurora Medical Center - Sheboygan County
RECRUITING

Sheboygan, Wisconsin, 53081, United States
Aurora Medical Center - Summit
RECRUITING

Summit, Wisconsin, 53066, United States
Aurora Medical Center Grafton
RECRUITING

Grafton, Wisconsin, 53024, United States
Aurora Medical Center Kenosha
RECRUITING

Kenosha, Wisconsin, 53142, United States
Aurora Medical Center Oshkosh
RECRUITING

Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 54904, United States
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
RECRUITING

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, United States
Aurora West Allis Medical Center
RECRUITING

West Allis, Wisconsin, 53227, United States

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