Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Introduction Pre-hospital emergency medical teams can transfuse blood products to patients with s... more Introduction Pre-hospital emergency medical teams can transfuse blood products to patients with suspected major traumatic haemorrhage. Common transfusion triggers based on physiological parameters have several disadvantages and are largely unvalidated in guiding pre-hospital transfusion. The addition of pre-hospital lactate (P-LACT) may overcome these challenges. To date, the clinical utility of P-LACT to guide pre-hospital blood transfusion is unclear. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with suspected major traumatic haemorrhage attended by Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) between 8 July 2017 and 31 December 2019. The primary endpoint was the accuracy of P-LACT to predict the requirement for any in-hospital (continued) transfusion of blood product. Results During the study period, 306 patients with suspected major traumatic haemorrhage were attended by KSS. P-LACT was obtained in 194 patients. In the cohort 103 (34%) patients were declared Code Red. A pre-ho...
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 2021
Background Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) respond to serious trauma and medical eme... more Background Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) respond to serious trauma and medical emergencies. Geographical disparity and the regionalisation of trauma systems can complicate accurate HEMS dispatch. We sought to evaluate HEMS dispatch sensitivity in older trauma patients by analysing critical care interventions and conveyance in a well-established trauma system. Methods All trauma patients aged ≥65 years that were attended by the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex over a 6-year period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2019 were included. Patient characteristics, critical care interventions and hospital disposition were stratified by dispatch type (immediate, interrogate and crew request). Results 1321 trauma patients aged ≥65 were included. Median age was 75 years [IQR 69–89]. HEMS dispatch was by immediate (32.0%), interrogation (43.5%) and at the request of ambulance clinicians (24.5%). Older age was associated with a longer dispatch interval and was significantly longer in th...
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, Oct 30, 2023
Objective Most older adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) reach the emergency department vi... more Objective Most older adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) reach the emergency department via the ambulance service. Older adults, often with mild TBI symptoms, risk being under-triaged and facing poor outcomes. This study aimed to identify whether sufficient information is available on the scene to an ambulance clinician to identify an older adult at risk of an intracranial haemorrhage following a head injury. Methods This was a retrospective case-control observational study involving one regional ambulance service in the UK and eight emergency departments. 3545 patients aged 60 years and over presented to one regional ambulance service with a head injury between the 1st of January 2020 and the 31st of December 2020. The primary outcome was an acute intracranial haemorrhage on head computed tomography (CT) scan in patients conveyed to the emergency department (ED). A secondary outcome was factors associated with conveyance to the ED by the ambulance clinician. Results In 2020, 2111 patients were conveyed to the ED and 162 patients were found to have an intracranial haemorrhage on their head CT scan. Falls from more than 2 m (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.45, 95% CI 1.78-6.40), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (aOR 2.80, 95% CI 1.25-5.75) and Clopidogrel (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.04-3.59) were associated with an intracranial haemorrhage. Conveyance to the ED was associated with patients taking anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication or a visible head injury or head injury symptoms. Conclusion This study highlights that while most older adults with a head injury are conveyed to the ED, only a minority will have an intracranial haemorrhage following their head injury. While mechanisms of injury such as falls from more than 2 m remain a predictor, this work highlights that Clopidogrel and CKD are also associated with an increased odds of tICH in older adults following a head injury. These findings may warrant a review of current ambulance head injury guidelines.
Objectives: Developing the proactive identification of patients with end of life care (EoLC) need... more Objectives: Developing the proactive identification of patients with end of life care (EoLC) needs within ambulance paramedic clinical practice may improve access to care for patients not benefitting from EoLC services at present. To inform development of this role, this study aims to assess whether ambulance paramedics currently identify EoLC patients, are aware of identification guidance and believe this role is appropriate for their practice. Methods: Between 4 November 2019 and 5 January 2020, registered paramedics from nine English NHS ambulance service trusts were invited to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire initially explored current practice and awareness, employing multiple-choice questions. The Gold Standards Framework Proactive Identification Guidance (GSF PIG) was then presented as an example of EoLC assessment guidance, and further questions, permitting free-text responses, explored attitudes towards performing this role. Results: 1643 questionnaires w...
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Introduction Pre-hospital emergency medical teams can transfuse blood products to patients with s... more Introduction Pre-hospital emergency medical teams can transfuse blood products to patients with suspected major traumatic haemorrhage. Common transfusion triggers based on physiological parameters have several disadvantages and are largely unvalidated in guiding pre-hospital transfusion. The addition of pre-hospital lactate (P-LACT) may overcome these challenges. To date, the clinical utility of P-LACT to guide pre-hospital blood transfusion is unclear. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with suspected major traumatic haemorrhage attended by Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) between 8 July 2017 and 31 December 2019. The primary endpoint was the accuracy of P-LACT to predict the requirement for any in-hospital (continued) transfusion of blood product. Results During the study period, 306 patients with suspected major traumatic haemorrhage were attended by KSS. P-LACT was obtained in 194 patients. In the cohort 103 (34%) patients were declared Code Red. A pre-ho...
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 2021
Background Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) respond to serious trauma and medical eme... more Background Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) respond to serious trauma and medical emergencies. Geographical disparity and the regionalisation of trauma systems can complicate accurate HEMS dispatch. We sought to evaluate HEMS dispatch sensitivity in older trauma patients by analysing critical care interventions and conveyance in a well-established trauma system. Methods All trauma patients aged ≥65 years that were attended by the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex over a 6-year period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2019 were included. Patient characteristics, critical care interventions and hospital disposition were stratified by dispatch type (immediate, interrogate and crew request). Results 1321 trauma patients aged ≥65 were included. Median age was 75 years [IQR 69–89]. HEMS dispatch was by immediate (32.0%), interrogation (43.5%) and at the request of ambulance clinicians (24.5%). Older age was associated with a longer dispatch interval and was significantly longer in th...
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, Oct 30, 2023
Objective Most older adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) reach the emergency department vi... more Objective Most older adults with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) reach the emergency department via the ambulance service. Older adults, often with mild TBI symptoms, risk being under-triaged and facing poor outcomes. This study aimed to identify whether sufficient information is available on the scene to an ambulance clinician to identify an older adult at risk of an intracranial haemorrhage following a head injury. Methods This was a retrospective case-control observational study involving one regional ambulance service in the UK and eight emergency departments. 3545 patients aged 60 years and over presented to one regional ambulance service with a head injury between the 1st of January 2020 and the 31st of December 2020. The primary outcome was an acute intracranial haemorrhage on head computed tomography (CT) scan in patients conveyed to the emergency department (ED). A secondary outcome was factors associated with conveyance to the ED by the ambulance clinician. Results In 2020, 2111 patients were conveyed to the ED and 162 patients were found to have an intracranial haemorrhage on their head CT scan. Falls from more than 2 m (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.45, 95% CI 1.78-6.40), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (aOR 2.80, 95% CI 1.25-5.75) and Clopidogrel (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.04-3.59) were associated with an intracranial haemorrhage. Conveyance to the ED was associated with patients taking anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication or a visible head injury or head injury symptoms. Conclusion This study highlights that while most older adults with a head injury are conveyed to the ED, only a minority will have an intracranial haemorrhage following their head injury. While mechanisms of injury such as falls from more than 2 m remain a predictor, this work highlights that Clopidogrel and CKD are also associated with an increased odds of tICH in older adults following a head injury. These findings may warrant a review of current ambulance head injury guidelines.
Objectives: Developing the proactive identification of patients with end of life care (EoLC) need... more Objectives: Developing the proactive identification of patients with end of life care (EoLC) needs within ambulance paramedic clinical practice may improve access to care for patients not benefitting from EoLC services at present. To inform development of this role, this study aims to assess whether ambulance paramedics currently identify EoLC patients, are aware of identification guidance and believe this role is appropriate for their practice. Methods: Between 4 November 2019 and 5 January 2020, registered paramedics from nine English NHS ambulance service trusts were invited to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire initially explored current practice and awareness, employing multiple-choice questions. The Gold Standards Framework Proactive Identification Guidance (GSF PIG) was then presented as an example of EoLC assessment guidance, and further questions, permitting free-text responses, explored attitudes towards performing this role. Results: 1643 questionnaires w...
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Papers by Jack Barrett