Prehospital care. Sepsis: a need for prehospital intervention

Source: Emergency Medicine Journal 2009; 26: 535-538.

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Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Article aimed at pre hospital care managers, researchers and practitioners. The authors note the improving pre hospital care for patients with critical conditions (acute coronary syndrome, multiple trauma and stroke) and identify patients with sepsis as another group who would benefit from timely pre hospital care. They recommend the implementation of a screening tool and guidelines for pre hospital staff (The Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee do not currently have guidelines for server sepsis) informed by more research. Greater awareness of sever sepsis is needed in training pre hospital practitioners. Interventions in the pre hospital setting for severe sepsis can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Length of publication: 3 pages

Some important notes: An NHS Athens password is required to access the full text of this article.  Please contact your local NHS library for further details – follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Out-of-hours care in western countries: assessment of different organizational models

Source: BMC Health Services Research 2009, 9:105

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Date of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Internationally, different organizational models are used for providing out-of-hours care. This study used a survey across 25 countries to assess prevailing models and identify their potential strengths and weaknesses.   In most countries several different models existed alongside each other, including Accident & Emergency, rota groups and GP cooperatives.  The perceived strengths and weaknesses of these models are discussed.  GP cooperatives combine size of scale advantages with high accessibility, continuity and coordination of care. While specific patients require other organizational models, the co-existence of different models for out-of-hours care in a country may be less efficient for health systems.

Length of publication: 21 pages

Ten things your emergency department should consider to prepare for pandemic influenza

Source: Emergency Medicine Journal 2009; 26:497-500

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Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Pandemic influenza remains a potential major threat to global public health. It is essential for emergency departments to be involved in planning for the management of such a major event. It is also important for emergency departments to be clear on their internal arrangements for staff and for patient care. This paper outlines 10 suggestions for UK emergency departments based on the recent experience of emergency departments in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Some important notes: An NHS Athens password is required to access the full text of this article.  Please contact your local NHS library for further details – follow this link to find your local NHS Library

An evaluation of the accuracy and safety of NHS Pathways

Source: Parliament 

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Date of Publication: June 2008 (published online June 2009)

Publication Type: Research

In a nutshell: Report that assesses the robustness, performance, accuracy, efficiency and safety of the NHS Pathways trial with North East Ambulance Service. NHS Pathways refers callers to the Ambulance service to relevant alternative care providers if appropriate, reducing the number of Category A (8 minute response calls). The report concluded that NHS Pathways was at least as safe as current call assessment and prioritisation processes. The study informed the Department of Health’s decision to allow Ambulance services across the UK to adopt NHS Pathways, announced in the February 2009.

Length of publication: 130 pages

Some important notes: E-Health Insider reports the original announcement from The Department of Health on NHS Pathways.

Acknowledgements: Turner , J., Lattimer, V. and Snooks, H., 2008. An evaluation of the accuracy and safety of NHS Pathways. London: Commissioned by The Department of Health from The Medical Care Research Unit at the University of Sheffield in collaboration with the University of Southampton and Swansea University.

Ambulance of tomorrow unveiled

Source: News Distribution Service for Government and the Public Sector

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Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: The Smart Pod – an idea for the ambulance of the future – was unveiled at the Innovation Expo in London.  The Expo showcases the very best of healthcare innovations from the UK and abroad.

Smart Pod’s revolutionary design takes the best features from the present day ambulance and combines them with revolutionary new functions including an expandable mobile treatment centre and Smart Infection Control along with a raft of clinical innovations that utilise state of the art communications technologies

The Smart Pod is a joint venture between the Royal College of Art and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

 Length of publication: Webpage

Urgent care project: best practice review

Source: Warwick Medical School

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Date of Publication: February 2009

Publication Type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: Review aimed at creating an evidence base for the design of a new vertically integrated urgent care system. An extensive review of the literature looking at UK and international examples organises results into: 1) the way care is organised, 2) specific ways of providing care and 3) involving people in their care.  The review identifies initiatives that may reduce unplanned hospitalisation and re-addmission, interventions that may reduce hospital stays and interventions that may moderate readdmission.

Length of Publication: 35 pages