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BackgroundAlmost half of the 16,650,745 calls to NHS 111 each year are triaged to a primary care disposition. However, there is evidence that contact with a primary care service occurs in less than 50% of cases and triage time frames are frequently not met. This can result in increased utilisation of other healthcare services.This feasibility study aimed to modelin-silicothe current healthcare system for patients triaged to a primary care disposition and determine the effect of reconfiguring the system to ensure a timely primary care service contact.MethodsData from the Connected Yorkshire research database were used to develop a model and Discrete Event Simulation in Python, using the SimPy package. This included all 111 calls made in 2021 by callers registered with a Bradford GP who were triaged to a primary care disposition, and their subsequent healthcare system access during the following 72 hours.We simulated 100 runs of one year of 111 calls and calculated the mean difference and 95% confidence intervals in primary care contacts, emergency ambulance (999) calls and avoidable ED attendances.ResultsThe simulation of the current system estimated that there would be 39,283 (95%CI 39,237–39,328) primary care contacts, 2,042 (95%CI 2,032–2,051) 999 calls and 1,120 (95%CI 1,114–1,127) avoidable ED attendances. Modifying the model to ensure a timely primary care response resulted in a mean increase in primary care contacts of 37,748 (95%CI 37,667–37,829), a mean reduction in 999 calls of -449 (95%CI -461– -436) and a mean reduction in avoidable ED attendance of -26 (95%CI -35– -17).ConclusionIn this simulated study, ensuring timely contact with a primary care service would lead to a significant reduction in 999 and 111 calls, and ED attendances (although not avoidable ED attendance). However, this is likely to be impractical given the need to almost double current primary care service provision. Further economic and qualitative research is needed to determine whether this intervention would be cost effective and acceptable to both patients and primary care clinicians.

BackgroundThe NHS 111 service triages over 16,650,745 calls per year and approximately 48% of callers are triaged to a primary care disposition, such as a telephone appointment with a general practitioner (GP). However, there has been little assessment of the ability of primary care services to meet this demand. If a timely service cannot be provided to patients, it could result in patients calling 999 or attending emergency departments (ED) instead.This study aimed to explore the patient journey for callers who were triaged to a primary care disposition, and the ability of primary care services to meet this demand.MethodsWe obtained routine, retrospective data from the Connected Yorkshire research database, and identified all 111 calls between the 1st January 2021 and 31st December 2021 for callers registered with a GP in the Bradford or Airedale region of West Yorkshire, who were triaged to a primary care disposition. Subsequent healthcare system access (111, 999, primary and secondary care) in the 72 hours following the index 111 call was identified, and a descriptive analysis of the healthcare trajectory of patients was undertaken.ResultsThere were 56,102 index 111 calls, and a primary care service was the first interaction in 26,690/56,102 (47.6%) of cases, with 15,470/26,690 (58%) commenced within the specified triage time frame. Calls to 999 were higher in the cohort who had no prior contact with primary care (58% vs 42%) as were ED attendances (58.2% vs 41.8), although the proportion of avoidable ED attendances was similar (10.5% vs 11.8%).ConclusionLess than half of 111 callers triaged to a primary care disposition make contact with a primary care service, and even when they do, call triage time frames are frequently not met, suggesting that current primary care provision cannot meet the demand from 111.

IntroductionAmbulances services are asked to further reduce avoidable conveyances to emergency departments (EDs). Risk of Adverse Outcomes after a Suspected Seizure seeks to support this by: (1) clarifying the risks of conveyance and non-conveyance, and (2) developing a risk prediction tool for clinicians to use ‘on scene’ to estimate the benefits an individual would receive if conveyed to ED and risks if not.Methods and analysisMixed-methods, multi-work package (WP) project. For WP1 and WP2 we shall use an existing linked data set that tracks urgent and emergency care (UEC) use of persons served by one English regional ambulance service. Risk tools are specific to clinical scenarios. We shall use suspected seizures in adults as an exemplar.WP1: Form a cohort of patients cared for a seizure by the service during 2019/2020. It, and nested Knowledge Exchange workshops with clinicians and service users, will allow us to: determine the proportions following conveyance and non-conveyance that die and/or recontact UEC system within 3 (/30) days; quantify the proportion of conveyed incidents resulting in ‘avoidable ED attendances’ (AA); optimise risk tool development; and develop statistical models that, using information available ‘on scene’, predict the risk of death/recontact with the UEC system within 3 (/30) days and the likelihood of an attendance at ED resulting in an AA.WP2: Form a cohort of patients cared for a seizure during 2021/2022 to ‘temporally’ validate the WP1 predictive models.WP3: Complete the ‘next steps’ workshops with stakeholders. Using nominal group techniques, finalise plans to develop the risk tool for clinical use and its evaluation.Ethics and disseminationWP1a and WP2 will be conducted under database ethical approval (IRAS 307353) and Confidentiality Advisory Group (22/CAG/0019) approval. WP1b and WP3 have approval from the University of Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee (11450). We shall engage in proactive dissemination and knowledge mobilisation to share findings with stakeholders and maximise evidence usage.

BackgroundEmergency Medical Services (EMS) have experienced surges in demand as the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed with ambulances services in the UK declaring major incidents due to the risk of care being compromised. COVID-19 specific EMS telephone triage tools have been introduced to help manage demand. There has been no previous evaluation of the accuracy of EMS telephone triage in identifying patients with suspected COVID-19 at risk of serious adverse outcome.We aimed to assess accuracy of EMS telephone triage in identifying patients who need an EMS response and identify factors which affect triage accuracy.MethodPatients who made an emergency call to Yorkshire Ambulance Service between 2nd April and 29th June 2020 and were assessed using an AMPDS pandemic pathway for suspected COVID-19 were linked to Office for National Statistics death registration data, hospital and general practice electronic health care data collected by NHS Digital.Accuracy of decision to dispatch an ambulance was assessed in terms of death or need for organ support at 30 days from the first 999 call. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with false negative and false positive triage.ResultsOf 12, 653 callers included in the study population, 11.1% experienced the primary composite adverse outcome. Using the triage pathway, 16% of callers did not receive an emergency response and they had a lower risk (3.5%) of the primary outcome. Ambulances were dispatched to 4, 230 callers (33.4%) who were not subsequently conveyed to hospital and did not experience the primary outcome (false positive triage). Multivariable modelling found older age and presence of pre-existing respiratory disease were significant predictors of false positive triage.ConclusionEMS telephone triage avoided 16% of calls receiving an emergency ambulance, of whom 3.5% died or needed organ support by 30 days. Telephone triage can therefore reduce the burden of EMS responses but with the cost of a small proportion of patients who do not receive an initial emergency response deteriorating. Research is needed to identify the appropriate balance between over- and under-triage

Introduction: AIRWAYS-2 was a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the clinical and cost effectiveness of the i-gel supraglottic airway device with tracheal intubation in the initial airway management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). In order to successfully conduct this clinical trial, it was necessary for research paramedics to overcome multiple challenges, many of which will be relevant to future emergency medical service (EMS) research. This article aims to describe a number of the challenges that were encountered during the out-of-hospital phase of the AIRWAYS-2 trial and how these were overcome.Methods: The research paramedics responsible for conducting the pre-hospital phase of the trial were asked to reflect on their experience of facilitating the AIRWAYS-2 trial. Responses were then collated by the lead author. A process of iterative revision and review was undertaken by the research paramedics to produce a consensus of opinion.Results: The main challenges identified by the trial research paramedics related to the recruitment and training of paramedics, screening of eligible patients and investigation of protocol deviations / reporting errors. Even though a feasibility study was conducted prior to the commencement of AIRWAYS-2, the scale of these challenges was underestimated.Conclusion: Large-scale pragmatic cluster randomised trials are being successfully undertaken in out-of-hospital care. However, they require intensive engagement with EMS clinicians and local research paramedics, particularly when the intervention is contentious. Feasibility studies are an important part of research but may fail to identify all potential challenges. Therefore, flexibility is required to manage unforeseen difficulties.

Introduction Vomiting and regurgitation are commonly encountered in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but traditional paramedic suctioning techniques may be insufficient to manage severely soiled airways. The Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination (SALAD) technique was developed to help clinicians manage soiled airways. SATIATED2 reports the impact of SALAD training in North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) in the United Kingdom following the original SATIATED study in the Yorkshire Ambulance Service. The primary research question was: Among NEAS paramedics, does the addition of SALAD training, compared to standard training, improve the success rate of intubation for the soiled airway? Methods A randomised controlled trial of SALAD was conducted using a modified airway manikin capable of vomiting. The intervention comprised SALAD training and the introduction of the DuCanto catheter. Paramedic volunteers were block randomised into two groups: A01A02B01 who made two pre-training intubation attempts and one post-training attempt, and A11B11B12, who made one pre-training and two post-training attempts. The primary outcome was intubation success rate at the second attempt. The time taken to intubate was recorded as a secondary outcome. SATIATED2 was registered with ISRCTN (ISRCTN17329526) and funded internally with commercial support from SSCOR who supplied the DuCanto catheters. Results One-hundred and two paramedics (51 AAB, 51 ABB) were recruited between August and December 2019 with 99 participating (50 AAB, 49 ABB). The primary outcome was intubation success rate on the second attempt (A02 vs. B11) which were 86% without SALAD and 96% with SALAD; a non-significant improvement of 10% (95% CI: 1–21, p=0.09). The total intubation success rate pre-training (A01+A02+A11) was 75% (112/149) compared with 98% (145/148) post-training (B01+B11+B12). Conclusion NEAS paramedics demonstrated improved, but non-significant, intubation success rates in a simulated soiled airway following SALAD training.

BackgroundTools proposed to triage patient acuity in COVID-19 infection have only been validated in hospital populations. We estimated the accuracy of five risk-stratification tools recommended to predict severe illness and compared accuracy to existing clinical decision making in a prehospital setting.MethodsAn observational cohort study using linked ambulance service data for patients attended by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) crews in the Yorkshire and Humber region of England between 26 March 2020 and 25 June 2020 was conducted to assess performance of the Pandemic Respiratory Infection Emergency System Triage (PRIEST) tool, National Early Warning Score (NEWS2), WHO algorithm, CRB-65 and Pandemic Medical Early Warning Score (PMEWS) in patients with suspected COVID-19 infection. The primary outcome was death or need for organ support.ResultsOf the 7549 patients in our cohort, 17.6% (95% CI 16.8% to 18.5%) experienced the primary outcome. The NEWS2 (National Early Warning Score, version 2), PMEWS, PRIEST tool and WHO algorithm identified patients at risk of adverse outcomes with a high sensitivity (>0.95) and specificity ranging from 0.3 (NEWS2) to 0.41 (PRIEST tool). The high sensitivity of NEWS2 and PMEWS was achieved by using lower thresholds than previously recommended. On index assessment, 65% of patients were transported to hospital and EMS decision to transfer patients achieved a sensitivity of 0.84 (95% CI 0.83 to 0.85) and specificity of 0.39 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.40).ConclusionUse of NEWS2, PMEWS, PRIEST tool and WHO algorithm could improve sensitivity of EMS triage of patients with suspected COVID-19 infection. Use of the PRIEST tool would improve sensitivity of triage without increasing the number of patients conveyed to hospital.

ObjectiveTo assess accuracy of telephone triage in identifying patients who need emergency care amongst those with suspected COVID-19 infection and identify factors which affect triage accuracy.DesignObservational cohort studySettingCommunity telephone triage in the Yorkshire and Humber, Bassetlaw, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire region.Participants40, 261 adults who contacted NHS 111 telephone triage services provided by Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust between the 18th March 2020 and 29th June 2020 with symptoms indicating possible COVID-19 infection were linked to Office for National Statistics death registration data, hospital and general practice electronic health care data collected by NHS Digital.OutcomeAccuracy of triage disposition (self-care/non-urgent clinical assessment versus ambulance dispatch/urgent clinical assessment) was assessed in terms of death or need for organ support at 30, 7 and 3 days from first contact with the telephone triage service.ResultsCallers had a 3% (1, 200/40, 261) risk of adverse outcome. Telephone triage recommended self-care or non-urgent assessment for 60% (24, 335/40, 261), with a 1.3% (310/24, 335) risk of subsequent adverse outcome. Telephone triage had 74.2% sensitivity (95% CI: 71.6 to 76.6%) and 61.5% specificity (61% to 62%) for adverse outcomes at 30 days from first contact. Multivariable analysis suggested some co-morbidities (such as chronic respiratory disease) may be over-estimated as predictors of adverse outcome, while the association of diabetes with adverse outcome may be under-estimated. Repeat contact with the service appears to be an important under recognised predictor of adverse outcomes with both 2 contacts (OR 1.77 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.75) and 3 or more contacts (OR 4.02 95% CI: 1.68 to 9.65) associated with clinical deterioration when not provided with an ambulance or urgent clinical assessment.ConclusionPatients advised to self-care or receive non-urgent clinical assessment had a small but non-negligible risk of serious clinical deterioration. The sensitivity and specificity of telephone triage was comparable to other tools used to triage patient acuity in emergency and urgent care. Repeat contact with telephone services needs recognition as an important predictor of subsequent adverse outcomes.What is already known on this topicTelephone triage has been used to divert patients with suspected COVID-19 to self care or for non-urgent clinical assessments, and thereby help mitigate the risk of health services being overwhelmed by patients who require no speficic treatment.Concerns have been raised that telephone triage may not be sufficiently accurate in identifying need for emergency care. However, no previous evaluation of accuracy of telephone triage in patients with suspected COVID-19 infection has been completed.What this study addsPatients advised to self care or receive non-urgent clinical assessment had a small but non-negligible risk of deterioration and significant adverse outcomes.Telephone triage has comparable performance to methods used to triage patient acuity in other emergency and urgent care settings.Accuracy of triage may be improved by better recognition of multiple contact with services as a predictor of adverse outcomes.

Introduction: In response to anticipated challenges with urgent and emergency healthcare delivery during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust introduced video technology to supplement remote triage and ‘hear and treat’ consultations as a pilot project in the EOC. We conducted a service evaluation with the aim of investigating patient and staff acceptability of video triage, and the safety of the decision-making process.Methods: This service evaluation utilised a mixture of routine and bespoke data collection. We sent postal surveys to patients who were recipients of a video triage, and clinicians who were involved in the video triage pilot logged calls they attempted and undertook.Results: Between 27 March and 25 August 2020, clinicians documented 1073 triage calls. A successful video triage call was achieved in 641 (59.7%) cases. Clinical staff reported that video triage improved clinical assessment and decision making compared to telephone alone, and found the technology accessible for patients. Patients who received a video triage call and responded to the survey (40/201, 19.9%) were also satisfied with the technology and with the care they received. Callers receiving video triage that ended with a disposition of ‘hear and treat’ had a lower rate of re-contacting the service within 24 hours compared to callers that received clinical hub telephone triage alone (16/212, 7.5% vs. 2508/14349, 17.5% respectively).Conclusion: In this single NHS Ambulance Trust evaluation, the use of video triage for low-acuity calls appeared to be safe, with low rates of re-contact and high levels of patient and clinician satisfaction compared to standard telephone triage. However, video triage is not always appropriate for or acceptable to patients and technical issues were not uncommon.

BackgroundAmbulance service quality measures have focused on response times and a small number of emergency conditions, such as cardiac arrest. These quality measures do not reflect the care for the wide range of problems that ambulance services respond to and the Prehospital Outcomes for Evidence Based Evaluation (PhOEBE) programme sought to address this.ObjectivesThe aim was to develop new ways of measuring the impact of ambulance service care by reviewing and synthesising literature on prehospital ambulance outcome measures and using consensus methods to identify measures for further development; creating a data set linking routinely collected ambulance service, hospital and mortality data; and using the linked data to explore the development of case-mix adjustment models to assess differences or changes in processes and outcomes resulting from ambulance service care.DesignA mixed-methods study using a systematic review and synthesis of performance and outcome measures reported in policy and research literature; qualitative interviews with ambulance service users; a three-stage consensus process to identify candidate indicators; the creation of a data set linking ambulance, hospital and mortality data; and statistical modelling of the linked data set to produce novel case-mix adjustment measures of ambulance service quality.SettingEast Midlands and Yorkshire, England.ParticipantsAmbulance services, patients, public, emergency care clinical academics, commissioners and policy-makers between 2011 and 2015.InterventionsNone.Main outcome measuresAmbulance performance and quality measures.Data sourcesAmbulance call-and-dispatch and electronic patient report forms, Hospital Episode Statistics, accident and emergency and inpatient data, and Office for National Statistics mortality data.ResultsSeventy-two candidate measures were generated from systematic reviews in four categories: (1) ambulance service operations (n = 14), (2) clinical management of patients (n = 20), (3) impact of care on patients (n = 9) and (4) time measures (n = 29). The most common operations measures were call triage accuracy; clinical management was adherence to care protocols, and for patient outcome it was survival measures. Excluding time measures, nine measures were highly prioritised by participants taking part in the consensus event, including measures relating to pain, patient experience, accuracy of dispatch decisions and patient safety. Twenty experts participated in two Delphi rounds to refine and prioritise measures and 20 measures scored ≥ 8/9 points, which indicated good consensus. Eighteen patient and public representatives attending a consensus workshop identified six measures as important: time to definitive care, response time, reduction in pain score, calls correctly prioritised to appropriate levels of response, proportion of patients with a specific condition who are treated in accordance with established guidelines, and survival to hospital discharge for treatable emergency conditions. From this we developed six new potential indicators using the linked data set, of which five were constructed using case-mix-adjusted predictive models: (1) mean change in pain score; (2) proportion of serious emergency conditions correctly identified at the time of the 999 call; (3) response time (unadjusted); (4) proportion of decisions to leave a patient at scene that were potentially inappropriate; (5) proportion of patients transported to the emergency department by 999 emergency ambulance who did not require treatment or investigation(s); and (6) proportion of ambulance patients with a serious emergency condition who survive to admission, and to 7 days post admission. Two indicators (pain score and response times) did not need case-mix adjustment. Among the four adjusted indicators, we found that accuracy of call triage was 61%, rate of potentially inappropriate decisions to leave at home was 5–10%, unnecessary transport to hospital was 1.7–19.2% and survival to hospital admission was 89.5–96.4% depending on Clinical Commissioning Group area. We were unable to complete a fourth objective to test the indicators in use because of delays in obtaining data. An economic analysis using indicators (4) and (5) showed that incorrect decisions resulted in higher costs.LimitationsCreation of a linked data set was complex and time-consuming and data quality was variable. Construction of the indicators was also complex and revealed the effects of other services on outcome, which limits comparisons between services.ConclusionsWe identified and prioritised, through consensus processes, a set of potential ambulance service quality measures that reflected preferences of services and users. Together, these encompass a broad range of domains relevant to the population using the emergency ambulance service. The quality measures can be used to compare ambulance services or regions or measure performance over time if there are improvements in mechanisms for linking data across services.Future workThe new measures can be used to assess different dimensions of ambulance service delivery but current data challenges prohibit routine use. There are opportunities to improve data linkage processes and to further develop, validate and simplify these measures.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme.

BackgroundAmbulance clinicians use pre-alert calls to inform receiving emergency departments (EDs) of the arrival of a critically unwell patient that will require a specialised response. Little is known about how a decision to pre-alert is made and how this is communicated and acted upon in the receiving ED. Whilst appropriate use of pre-alerts benefits patient care, their overuse carries a risk of harm or opportunity costs. The impact of pre-alerts on ambulance clinicians, ED staff and patients is not currently well understood.MethodsWe are conducting a mixed methods study with five inter-related work packages. We will analyse 12 months of routine data from ambulance pre-alerts in three regions to identify factors in the variation of pre-alert use, including pre-hospital decision-making. We will undertake a national online Qualtrics survey of ambulance clinician perspectives and experience of pre-alerts. We will explore the impacts of a pre-alert on staff, ED facilities and the patient using semi-structured interviews with ambulance clinicians, ED staff, patients and carers and undertake non-participant observation of ED pre-alert response.Expected ResultsWe will describe current pre-alert practice using 12 months’ data for 3 Ambulance Services, including volume and types of pre-alerts. We will identify specific conditions or patient groups for whom pre-alerts are most likely to lead to change in clinical practice, or for whom action is unlikely to provide benefit. We will hold a feedback workshop in which we will share and discuss our findings with key stakeholders.ConclusionsCurrent variation in pre-alert processes, both pre-hospital and in-hospital and the impact on patient care is not understood. The outputs of this study will establish an evidence base to update national guidance for pre-alert practice and identify areas of good pre-alert practice for both ambulance service and Emergency Department staff.

Introduction: Pre-hospital analgesic treatment of injured children is suboptimal, with very few children in pain receiving analgesia. Studies have identified a number of barriers to pre-hospital pain management in children which include the route of analgesia administration. The aim of this review is to critically evaluate the pre-hospital literature, exploring the safety and efficacy of intranasal (IN) analgesics for children suffering pain.Methods: We performed a rapid evidence review, searching from inception to 17 December 2018, CINAHL, MEDLINE and Google Scholar. We included studies of children < 18 years suffering pain who were administered any IN analgesic in the pre-hospital setting. Our outcomes were effective pain management, defined as a pain score reduction of ≥ 2 out of 10, safety and rates of analgesia administration. Screening and risk of bias assessments were performed in duplicate. We performed a narrative synthesis.Results: From 310 articles screened, 23 received a full-text review resulting in 10 articles included. No interventional studies were found. Most papers reported on the use of intranasal fentanyl (INF) (n = 8) with one reporting IN ketamine and the other IN S-ketamine. Narrative synthesis showed that INF appeared safe and effective at reducing pain; however, its ability to increase analgesia administration rates was unclear. The effectiveness, safety and ability of IN ketamine and S-ketamine to increase analgesia administration rates were unclear. There was no evidence for IN diamorphine for children in this setting.Conclusion: Interventional studies are needed to determine with a higher confidence the effectiveness and safety of IN analgesics (fentanyl, ketamine, S-ketamine, diamorphine) for children in the pre-hospital setting.

Introduction Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major public health problem, leading to a substantial number of deaths in the UK. In response to this, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) has introduced red arrest teams (RATs). RAT members attend a three-day training course, focusing on the technical and non-technical skills that are required to effectively team lead an OHCA and provide high quality post-resuscitation care. This evaluation aims to determine the impact of the RATs on survival to 30 days and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at hospital. Methods All adult (≥ 18 years) OHCAs entered onto the YAS computer aided dispatch (CAD) system between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2017 were included if the patient was resuscitated and the cause of the arrest was considered to be medical in origin. Multi-variable logistic regression models were created to enable adjustment for common predictors of survival and ROSC. Results During the 2-year data collection period, YAS attended 15,151 cardiac arrests. After removing ineligible cases, 5868 cardiac arrests remained. RATs attended 2000/5868 (34.1%) incidents, with each RAT attending a median of 13 cardiac arrests (IQR 7-23, min. 1, max. 78).The adjusted odds ratios suggest that a RAT on scene is associated with a slight increase in the odds of survival to 30 days (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.74-1.38) and odds of ROSC on arrival at hospital (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.99-1.29), compared to the odds of not having a RAT present, although neither result is statistically significant. Conclusion The presence of a RAT paramedic was associated with a small increase in survival to 30 days and ROSC on arrival at hospital, although neither were statistically significant. Larger prospective studies are required to determine the effect of roles such as RAT on outcomes from OHCA.

Vomiting and regurgitation are commonly encountered in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with a reported incidence of 20-30%. Arguably, tracheal intubation is the preferred airway management technique in patients with ongoing airway contamination, but there is evidence that this is difficult to achieve when the airway is soiled. In addition, traditional suctioning techniques have been criticised, and training in the management of contaminated airways is limited. If standard suctioning techniques are not sufficient to maintain a clear airway and provide ventilation, then these patients will die, irrespective of the quality of chest compressions and the timeliness of defibrillation. This has led to the development of a combined suction/laryngoscopy technique to facilitate intubation, known as Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination, and the creation of modified airway manikins to allow for practice in these techniques. However, to date there has only been one study specifically looking at the Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination technique, and the outcomes were self-reported confidence measures of trainees in using the technique. The primary objective of Soiled Airway Tracheal Intubation and the Effectiveness of Decontamination is to determine the difference between paramedic first-pass intubation success, before and after Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination training, in a simulated soiled airway. The primary outcome is the difference in proportions of paramedic first-pass intubation success, before and after Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination training. Paramedic recruitment commenced in July 2018 and the study will enrol 154 paramedics by the end of 2018. The results of this study will contribute to the evidence relating to the Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination technique.

IntroductionNHS ambulance service conveyance rates in the UK are almost 70%, despite an increase in non-emergency cases. This is increasing the demands on crowded emergency departments (ED) and contributes to increased ambulance turnaround times. Yorkshire Ambulance Service introduced a specialist paramedic (SP) role to try and address this, but non-conveyance rates in this group have not been as high as expected.MethodsWe conducted a controlled interrupted time series analysis using data from incidents between June 2017 and December 2019, to study appropriate non-conveyance rates before and after a GP placement. A costing analysis examined the average cost per appropriate non-conveyance achieved for patients receiving care from intervention group SPs pre- and post-placement was also conducted.Results7349 incidents attended by intervention group SPs were eligible for inclusion. Following removal of cases with missing data, 5537/7349 (75.3%) cases remained. Post-placement, the intervention group demonstrated an increase in appropriate non-conveyance rate of 35.0% (95%CI 23.8–46.2%, pPost-placement, the cost per appropriate non-conveyance for intervention group SPs was a mean of £509.38 (95% bootstrapped CI £455.32–£564.59) versus £1258.04 (95% bootstrapped CI £1232.64–£1284.04) for the same group in the pre-placement phase. This represents a mean saving of £748.66 per appropriate non-conveyance (95% bootstrapped CI £719.45–£777.32) and a cost-effectiveness ratio of £2141.15 per percentage increase in appropriate non-conveyance (95% bootstrapped CI £2057.62–£2223.12).ConclusionIn this single UK NHS ambulance service study, we found a clinically important and statistically significant increase in appropriate non-conveyance rates by specialist paramedics who had completed a 10-week GP placement. This improvement persisted for the 12-month period following the placement and demonstrated cost savings compared to usual care.What this study addsWhat is known about this subjectUK ambulance service conveyance rates are almost 70% despite an increase in the number of non-emergency casesHealth Education England funded a pilot in 2018 to rotate paramedics into a range of health settings to improve patient care and relieve pressures on primary care services.What this study addsClinically important and statistically significant increases in appropriate non-conveyance rates can be achieved by specialist paramedics who complete a 10-week primary care placement.This improvement is sustained for at least 12-months following the placement cost-effective.

This consensus statement provides profession-specific guidance in relation to tracheal intubation by paramedics - a procedure that the College of Paramedics supports. Tracheal intubation by paramedics has been the subject of professional and legal debate as well as crown investigation. It is therefore timely that the College of Paramedics, through this consensus group, reviews the available evidence and expert opinion in order to prevent patient harm and promote patient safety, clinical effectiveness and professional standards. It is not the purpose of this consensus statement to remove the skill of tracheal intubation from paramedics. Neither is it intended to debate the efficacy of intubation or the effect on mortality or morbidity, as other formal research studies will answer those questions. The consensus of this group is that paramedics can perform tracheal intubation safely and effectively. However, a safe, well-governed system of continual training, education and competency must be in place to serve both patients and the paramedics delivering their care.

IntroductionIn response to anticipated challenges with urgent and emergency healthcare delivery during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS) introduced video call technology to supplement remote triage and ‘hear and treat’ consultations as a pilot project in the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). We aimed to investigate patient and staff acceptability of video triage, and the safety of the decision-making process.MethodsThis service evaluation utilised a mixture of routine 999 call and bespoke data collection from participating clinicians who logged calls they both attempted and undertook. We sent postal surveys to a group of patients who were recipients of a video triage.ResultsBetween 27th March 2020 and 25th August 2020 clinicians documented 1073 video triage calls. A successful video triage call was achieved in 641 (59.7%) of cases. Clinical staff reported that video triage improved clinical assessment and decision making compared to telephone alone, and found the technology accessible for patients. Patients who received a video triage call and responded to the survey (40/201, 19.9%) viewed the technology, the ambulance staff and the care planning favourably.Callers receiving video triage that ended with a disposition of ‘hear and treat’, had a lower rate of re-contacting the service within 24 hours compared to callers that received clinical support desk telephone triage alone (16/212, 7.5% vs 2508/14349, 17.5% respectively.)ConclusionIn this single NHS Ambulance Trust evaluation, the use of video triage for low acuity calls appeared to be safe, with low rates of recontact and high levels of patient and clinician satisfaction compared to standard telephone triage. However, video triage is not always appropriate or acceptable to patients and technical issues were not uncommon.

BackgroundIn early March 2020, a senior clinical support cell (SCSC) was established within Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (YAS). The SCSC aimed to provide an additional layer of clinical leadership within the Emergency Operations Centre to support call centre and decision support for on-scene ambulance staff working in challenging circumstances. It was staffed by advanced practitioners, doctors and other senior paramedics with range of diverse skills from critical to urgent care. We aimed to understand the patterns of use of a SCSC for emergency 999 calls during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsRoutinely collected call data was retrospectively analysed to understand the patterns of use in the first three months of the service. The reason for the call, patient demographic and any regional differences were described. An anonymous survey was distributed to frontline ambulance crews to understand the reasons for contacting the SCSC, or not, and the outcomes of that contact for patient care.Results7296 patient care episodes received either a telephone triage by SCSC for 999 calls or 111 calls transferred for an emergency ambulance response (3160) or had telephone support provided to crews on scene (4136). Telephone triage accounted for 3160 calls where 642 cases (20.3%) resulted in a hear-and-treat outcome, and the findings suggest a low re-contact rate within 24 hours at 2.4%.The primary reasons for crews seeking support/advice from the SCSC were discharge advice or permission (37%); support for pathways in their area (25%); or for cases where patients refused care or conveyance (11%).ConclusionsSCSC was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and lessons can be learned to prepare for any future significant service challenges as a result of the rapid implementation of the SCSC and the clinical leadership required to support the pace of change and emerging clinical knowledge and practice.

Background/rationale ‐ Although defibrillation has been shown to improve outcome from cardiac arrest, there is a group of patients that presents with ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia that is resistant to defibrillation. In these patients, amiodarone has been shown to improve short-term outcome of survival to hospital admission and improve the response to defibrillation. In addition, refractory ventricular fibrillation may fail to be terminated by pads placed in the standard sternal-apical position, and consideration of a pad-position change is advocated by current UK and European resuscitation guidelines.\ud \ud The aim of this audit was to determine Yorkshire Ambulance Service ambulance crew compliance with current resuscitation guidelines, for adult patients with shockable rhythms that are resistant to defibrillation.\ud \ud Methods ‐ All adult (≥ 18 years) medical cardiac arrests during the audit period (1 July 2016‐30 September 2016) presenting with ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and requiring three or more shocks, were reviewed for compliance with three standards. These standards related to the appropriate administration of amiodarone (first 300 mg dose and second 150 mg dose), and pad position change (or consideration of change) for refractory ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia after five shocks.\ud \ud Results ‐ Within the audit period dates, there were 1584 adult cardiac arrests, with resuscitation attempted in 635 incidents. The presenting rhythm was ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia in 176 of cases. In the audit sample, there were 53 documented 300 mg amiodarone administrations and 22 documented 150 mg amiodarone administrations. One patient received 150 mg amiodarone but not a first dose of 300 mg. Of the patients who received three or more shocks, 94.9% (94/99) had IV access. It was possible to determine the sequence of rhythms for 76.3% (29/38) of the cardiac arrests that received more than five shocks. Of these patients, 26 had a refractory ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia and one patient had a pad position change, or documented consideration of a pad position change.\ud \ud Conclusion ‐ Compliance with amiodarone administration in shock-resistant arrhythmias is poor and pad position change is not being considered by clinicians for patients in refractory ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia. A review of advanced life support training provision and assessment is required within Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and strategies for increasing awareness of amiodarone administration in eligible patients and pad position change are needed.

Introduction ‐ Although there are published studies examining UK paramedic airway management in the out-of-hospital setting, there has been no sizeable survey of practicing UK paramedics that examines their advanced airway management practice, training and confidence. Therefore, the Airway Management Group of the College of Paramedics commissioned a survey to gain an up to date snapshot of advanced airway management practice across the UK among paramedics.\ud \ud Methods ‐ An online questionnaire was created, and a convenience sample of Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered paramedics was invited to participate in the survey. Invitations were made using the College of Paramedics e-mail mailing list, the College website, as well as social media services such as Twitter and Facebook. The survey ran online for 28 days from 21 October to 18 November 2014 to allow as many paramedics to participate as possible. The survey questions considered a range of topics including which supraglottic airway devices are most commonly available in practice and whether or not tracheal intubation also formed a part of individual skillsets. In relation to intubation, respondents were asked a range of questions including which education programmes had been used for original skill acquisition, how skills were maintained, what techniques and equipment were available for intubation attempts, individual practitioner confidence in intubation and how intubation attempts were documented.\ud \ud Results ‐ A total of 1658 responses to the survey were received. Following data cleansing, 152 respondents were removed from the survey, leaving a total of 1506. This represented 7.3% of paramedics registered with the HCPC (20,565) at the time the survey was conducted. The majority of respondents were employed within NHS ambulance services.\ud \ud Summary ‐ This is the largest survey of UK paramedics conducted to date, in relation to advanced airway management. It provides an overview of advanced airway management, with a particular focus on intubation, being conducted by UK paramedics.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence from the past 20 years has highlighted that acute pain is not managed well in the emergency setting, in particular with children. Inadequate management of pain can result in long-term changes in both physical and mental health. This service evaluation aimed to determine how paediatric pain is assessed and managed by ambulance clinicians in a large region in England. METHODS: This retrospective service evaluation analysed electronic patient record (ePR) data routinely collected between September and December 2018. All paediatric patients (< 18 years of age) with pain documented narratively, or a pain score of ≥ 1/10, were included. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with severe pain (defined as a pain score of ≥ 7/10) who achieve effective pain management (reduction in pain score of ≥ 2/10). RESULTS: A total of 2801 paediatric patients who had documented pain were included in the analysis and the median age of patients was three years (interquartile range, 1–12 years). Most had a medical cause of pain (2387/2801, 85.2%), and analgesia was administered by the ambulance crew in 403/2801 (14.4%) patients. Multiple pain scores were recorded for 667 patients. Effective pain management was achieved in 233/271 (86%) patients in moderate pain and 204/210 (97.1%) patients in severe pain. However, of the 437 children in moderate to severe pain who achieved effective pain management, 381 (87%) received no analgesia. CONCLUSION: Children in severe pain received effective pain management, despite the majority not receiving any analgesia. This should be investigated further since non-pharmacological methods of analgesia are unlikely to explain a reduction of this magnitude. Ambulance staff need to be encouraged to record a pain score promptly after arriving on scene and ensure it is repeated. Pain score should be documented as part of the physiological observations and not in the free text of ePRs to ensure that it is identified during audits.

Introduction: Vomiting and regurgitation are commonly encountered in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), with a reported incidence of 20-30%. This is of concern since patients who have suffered an OHCA are already in extremis. If standard suctioning techniques are not sufficient to maintain a clear airway and provide ventilation, then these patients will die, irrespective of the quality of chest compressions and the timeliness of defibrillation. This study aimed to determine whether a short teaching session of the suction assisted laryngoscopy and airway decontamination (SALAD) technique improved paramedics' ability to successfully intubate a contaminated airway. Methods: A modified airway manikin with the oesophagus connected to a reservoir of 'vomit', and a bilge pump capable of propelling the vomit up into the oropharynx, was used to simulate a soiled airway. The intervention consisted of a brief SALAD training session with a demonstration and opportunity to practice. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: AAB, who made two pre-training intubation attempts and one post-training attempt, and ABB, who made one pre-training and two post-training attempts, to adjust for improvement in performance due to repetition. Results: In this manikin study, following a brief SALAD training session, more paramedics were able to intubate a soiled airway on their first attempt, compared to those without training (90.2% vs. 53.7%, difference of 36.6%, 95% CI 24-49.1%, p < 0.001). In addition, the mean difference in time taken to perform a successful intubation between groups was statistically significant for attempts 1 and 2 (mean difference 11.71 seconds, 95% CI 1.95-21.47 seconds, p = 0.02), but not attempts 1 and 3 (mean difference -2.52 seconds, 95% CI -11.64-6.61 seconds, p = 0.58). This result is likely to be confounded by the use of tracheal suction, which only occurred in the post-training attempts and added additional time to the intubation attempts. There was no statistically significant difference in success rates on the third attempt between AAB and ABB (89.0% vs. 86.6%, difference 2.4%, 95% CI 7.6-12.4%, p = 0.63). Conclusion: In this study, the use of the SALAD technique significantly improved first attempt success rates when paramedics were intubating a simulated soiled airway.

Background In more than 20% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, the patient’s airway is soiled. 1 2 If the airway cannot be cleared, the patient will die. A new method of clearing the airway, suction assisted laryngoscopy and airway decontamination (SALAD) has been developed, but it’s not known whether this method can assist paramedics to intubate.3 This study aims to determine whether paramedics can intubate a simulated soiled airway more often on their first attempt, using SALAD. Method A modified airway manikin, with the oesophagus connected to a reservoir of ‘vomit’ and bilge pump, was used to simulate a soiled airway. The intervention was a brief SALAD training session with a demonstration and opportunity to practice. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: AAB who made two pre-training intubation attempts and one post-training attempt, and ABB, who made one pre-training and two post-training attempts, to adjust for improvement due to repetition. Results 164 paramedics took part in the study. First-pass intubation success with and without SALAD was 90.2% and 53.7% respectively, a significant difference of 36.6% (95%CI 24%–49.1%, p Conclusion In this study, paramedics were able to intubate a simulated soiled airway on their first attempt, significantly more often when using the SALAD technique. Reference Voss S, Rhys M, Coates D, Greenwood R, Nolan JP, Thomas M, et al. How do paramedics manage the airway during out of hospital cardiac arrest? Resuscitation 2014 Dec;85(12):1662–6. Simons RW, Rea TD, Becker LJ, Eisenberg MS. The incidence and significance of emesis associated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 2007 Sep;74(3):427–31. DuCanto J, Serrano KD, Thompson RJ. Novel Airway Training Tool that Simulates Vomiting: Suction-Assisted Laryngoscopy Assisted Decontamination (SALAD) System. West J Emerg Med 2017 Jan;18(1):117–20. Conflict of interest R. Pilbery is a research paramedic at „Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust. MD. Teare has no conflicts of interest. Funding This research was funded by a College of Paramedics small research grant.

BackgroundVomiting and regurgitation are commonly encountered in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but traditional paramedic suctioning techniques may be insufficient to manage severely soiled airways.A technique called Suction Assisted Laryngoscopy and Airway Decontamination (SALAD) has been developed to help clinicians manage these difficult airways. The only UK SALAD study (SATIATED) reported improved paramedic first-pass intubation success rate. This study has now been replicated in a different ambulance service.The primary research question was: Does paramedic first-pass intubation rate in North East Ambulance Service improve following training in SALAD? The secondary research question was: Does training in SALAD affect the time taken to intubate by paramedics?MethodsA randomised controlled trial of SALAD was conducted using a modified airway manikin capable of vomiting to simulate a soiled airway. The intervention comprised SALAD training and the introduction of the DuCanto catheter for post-training attempts. Participants were randomised into two groups: A01A02B01 who made two pre-training intubation attempts and one post-training attempt, and A11B11B12, who made one pre-training and two post-training attempts. Data were collected on length of service, success rates, timings and techniques used.ResultsParamedics (n=102 participants, n=99 completed the study) were recruited between August and December 2019. First-pass intubation success rates on the second attempts (A02versus B11) were 86% and 96% respectively; a non-significant improvement of 10% (95% CI 1–21%, p=0.09). Both groups intubated faster on third attempts compared to first attempts. A01 to B01 mean improvement 5 (SD 14) seconds, A11 to B12 mean improvement 9 (SD 15) seconds. There was no significant difference in improvement between groups (mean difference -4 seconds, 95% CI -11–3 seconds, p=0.22).ConclusionsNorth East Ambulance Service paramedics demonstrated improved first-pass intubation success rates in a simulated soiled airway following SALAD training and improved time to intubation. This study supports the findings of the SATIATED study.

Study aimThis study aims to determine the impact of the red arrest teams (RATs) on survival to 30 days and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at hospital.MethodsA retrospective cohort study analysing routinely collected data was undertaken. All adult (≥18 years) OHCAs entered onto the YAS computer aided dispatch (CAD) system between the 1st October, 2015 and 30th September, 2017 were included if the patient was resuscitated, and the cause of the arrest was considered to be medical in origin. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to enable adjustment for common predictors of survival and ROSC.ResultsDuring the 2-year data collection period, 15,151 cardiac arrests that were attended by Yorkshire Ambulance Service. After removing ineligible cases, 5,868 cardiac arrests remained. RATs attended 2,000/5,868 (34.1%) incidents, with each RAT attending a median of 13 cardiac arrests (IQR 7–23, minimum 1, maximum 78).The adjusted odds ratios suggest that a RAT on scene is associated with a slight increase in the odds of survival to 30 days (OR 1.01, 95%CI 0.74–1.38) and odds of ROSC on arrival at hospital (OR 1.13, 95%CI 0.99–1.29), compared to the odds of not having a RAT present, although neither results are statistically significant.ConclusionThe presence of a RAT paramedic was associated with a small increase in survival to 30 days and ROSC on arrival at hospital, although neither were statistically significant. Larger prospective studies are required to determine the effect of roles such as RAT on outcomes from OHCA

Introduction Endotracheal intubation has been considered a core skill for all paramedics since the inception of the profession in the 1970s, and continues to be taught within the majority of pre-registration paramedic training programmes. However, the standards of both training and assessment of competence in intubation vary considerably between institutions; this has been compounded by reduced opportunities for supervised clinical practice within the operating theatre environment.The College of Paramedics' Airway Working Group commissioned a rapid evidence review, to inform a consensus statement on paramedic intubation, with the research question: How do paramedics learn and maintain the skill of tracheal intubation? Methods Rapid evidence reviews are literature reviews that use methods to accelerate or streamline the traditional systematic review process. Randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised controlled trials, prospective and retrospective observational studies, systematic reviews and qualitative studies, published from 1970 onwards, were all eligible for inclusion. The search was restricted to paramedics/paramedic students and learning/maintaining the skill of tracheal intubation. Results A comprehensive search of CINAHL, MEDLINE and Google Scholar was undertaken. Ten papers were classed as sufficiently relevant for inclusion. They identified that there is no clear definition of a paramedic having 'learnt' the skill of intubation. Suggested measures include first-pass success of 90% for pre-hospital intubation, or a range of measures, such as intubation success and complication rates, laryngoscopy technique and decision-making. Intubation training should use a range of modalities, including didactic lectures, videos and practical sessions on multiple types of airway manikins. Supervision by experienced faculty is required.Little is known about how paramedics maintain their skill in intubation, given the lack of clinical opportunity. Yearly skills retraining can help, and can be enhanced by demonstrations/lectures from experienced faculty. Conclusion Further research is needed to understand how paramedics maintain their skill in intubation, given the limited opportunities to use the skill in a clinical setting and lack of opportunities with UK ambulance services for retraining.

BackgroundIn more than one-in-five cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the patient’s airway is soiled by vomit and blood. If a paramedic cannot clear the airway, the patient will die. A new method of clearing the airway called suction assisted laryngoscopy and airway decontamination (SALAD) has been developed, but it’s not known whether the method can assist paramedics to intubate. This study aims to determine whether paramedics can intubate a simulated soiled airway more often on their first attempt, using SALAD.MethodsA modified airway manikin, with the oesophagus connected to a reservoir of ‘vomit’ that was propelled up the oesophagus by a pump, was used to simulate a soiled airway. The intervention consisted of a brief SALAD training session with a demonstration and opportunity to practice. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: AAB who made two pre-training intubation attempts and one post-training attempt, and ABB, who made one pre-training and two post-training attempts, to adjust for improvement in performance due to repetition.Results164 paramedics took part in the study. First-pass intubation success with and without SALAD was 90.2% and 53.7% respectively, a significant difference of 36.6% (95%CI 24–49.1%, pConclusionsIn this study, paramedics were able to intubate a simulated soiled airway on their first attempt, significantly more often when using the SALAD technique.

Background : The appropriate management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) depends on accurate interpretation of the 12-lead ECG by paramedics. Computer interpretation messages on ECGs are often provided, but the effect they exert on paramedics’ decision-making is not known. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using an online assessment tool, and collect pilot data, for a definitive trial to determine the effect of computer interpretation messages on paramedics’ diagnosis of STEMI.\ud \ud Methods : The Recognition of STEMI by Paramedics and the Effect of Computer inTerpretation (RESPECT) feasibility study was a randomised crossover trial using a bespoke, web-based assessment tool. Participants were randomly allocated 12 of 48 ECGs, with an equal mix of correct and incorrect computer interpretation messages, and STEMI and STEMI-mimics. The nature of the responses required a cross-classified multi-level model.\ud \ud Results : 254 paramedics consented into the study, 205 completing the first phase and 150 completing phase two. The adjusted OR for a correct paramedic interpretation, when the computer interpretation was correct (true positive for STEMI or true negative for STEMI-mimic), was 1.80 (95% CI 0.84 to 4.91) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.81) when the computer interpretation was incorrect (false positive for STEMI or false negative for STEMI-mimic). The intraclass correlation coefficient for correct computer interpretations was 0.33 for participants and 0.17 for ECGs, and for incorrect computer interpretations, 0.06 for participants and 0.01 for ECGs.\ud \ud Conclusions : Determining the effect of computer interpretation messages using a web-based assessment tool is feasible, but the design needs to take clustered data into account. Pilot data suggest that computer messages influence paramedic interpretation, improving accuracy when correct and worsening accuracy when incorrect.

BACKGROUND: Timely diagnosis and appropriate management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) depends on accurate interpretation of the 12-lead ECG by paramedics. Computer interpretation messages on ECGs are often provided, but the effect they exert on paramedics' decision making is not known. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of a trial using an online assessment tool, to determine the effect of computer interpretation messages on paramedics' diagnosis of STEMI. \ud \ud METHODS: The RESPECT pilot study is a cluster-randomised crossover trial using a bespoke, web-based assessment tool. Participants were randomly allocated 12 of 48 ECGs, with an equal mix of correct and incorrect computer interpretation messages, and STEMI and STEMI-mimics. These were viewed in two phases, with message visibility reversed between phases. \ud \ud RESULTS: 254 paramedics consented into the study, 205 completing the first phase and 150 completing phase two. The data were analysed in two subsets: computer message correct and computer message incorrect. In the subset of correct computer interpretations, accuracy was 84% (message hidden) and 87% (message visible). The subset of incorrect computer interpretations resulted in an accuracy of 77% (message hidden) and 71% (message visible). For the subset of correct computer interpretation, the unadjusted OR was 1.31 (95% CI 1.01-1.71), adjusted OR, 1.80 (95% CI 0.84-4.80), the ICC for participants was 0.36 and for ECGs, 0.18 Incorrect computer interpretations had an unadjusted OR of 0.76 (95% CI 0.61-0.93), adjusted OR, 0.58 (95% CI 0.41-0.80), the ICC for participants was 0.06 and for ECGs, 0.01. \ud \ud CONCLUSION: A randomised crossover trial to determine the effect of computer interpretation messages is feasible. Pilot data have provided an indication about expected rates of discordance and suggest that incorrect computer messages have a stronger influence across participants and ECGs.

AIRWAYS-2 is an NIHR-funded study to determine the best initial approach to advanced airway management during out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Four NHS ambulance trusts are taking part in AIRWAYS-2: East Midlands, South Western, Yorkshire and East of England. One of the key challenges has been the need to recruit approximately 1300 study paramedics for the trial. The three main challenges in engaging and recruiting paramedics to participate in AIRWAYS-2 have been: ▸ Concerns relating to the potential results of the trial and what this will mean for the continuation of intubation for paramedics ▸ Concerns relating to the restriction on paramedic choice of advanced airway in OHCA and potential skill erosion ▸ Provision of training over large geographical areas at a time when morale is low and many ambulance trusts have recruitment and retention issues. How have these challenges been overcome? ▸ Communication: Identifying the most appropriate communication methods in each Trust e.g. face to face, email, internal trust operational updates ▸ Delivery of key messages: Emphasising why the trial is important and needed, and that its goal is not to remove intubation from paramedic practice. Obtaining the engagement of senior operational management to allay fears over impacts on service performance ▸ Valuing study paramedics: Paying clinicians overtime to attend training sessions, which contributes to their own continuing professional development ▸ Equity and opportunity: Delivery of multiple training sessions throughout each of the four ambulance trusts. Key achievements By November 2015, research paramedics had delivered nearly 350 training sessions and recruited in excess of 1300 paramedics to AIRWAYS-2. Conclusion The research paramedics leading AIRWAYS-2 have collaboratively, and successfully, overcome the main challenges relating to recruiting and engaging the paramedics in their Trusts. This should contribute to achieving the target patient sample size for the trial.