What works to improve patient care related to ambulance handovers at emergency departments?
This study aims to understand why ambulances sometimes face long queues at hospital emergency departments in the UK, often delaying patient care. Researchers will look at what methods hospitals use to reduce these queues, focusing on places where waits are uncommon. They will compare these successful approaches with places where queues happen more often. The study will assess how different ways of managing queues affect patient safety, experience, and the costs involved. The goal is to provide clear guidance on how to avoid delays, ensuring patients receive timely care and ambulances are free to respond to other emergencies across the country.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine an ambulance arrives at a hospital with someone who needs urgent care, but the emergency department is so busy that the ambulance has to wait, sometimes for hours, before handing over their patient. This is a common problem in the UK, and it means patients might not get the care they need quickly, and that ambulance isn't then available for other emergencies.
This study, called "What works to improve patient care related to ambulance handovers at emergency departments?" wants to find out how we can fix this. Researchers will look at hospitals across the UK to discover what methods they use to prevent ambulances from queuing. They'll compare hospitals that rarely have queues with those where queues happen often, to understand what makes a difference. The aim is to learn what works best to keep patients safe, improve their experience, and make sure the emergency care system runs smoothly.
Ultimately, the study hopes to provide clear advice and guidance to all hospitals on how to stop these delays. This will help make sure that when you or a loved one needs an ambulance, you get the right care at the right time, and ambulances are always ready to help people in need.
Key takeaways
- Aims to improve how ambulances hand over patients to hospitals.
- Looks at what makes some hospitals better at avoiding ambulance queues.
- Will collect information from patient experiences and hospital data.
- The goal is to create guidance for better emergency care across the UK.
- Results could lead to safer and quicker care for emergency patients.
- Your input could help improve care for future patients.
Who may be eligible?
If you've called 999 for an ambulance or visited an Emergency Department (ED) in the last year, your routine hospital records might be used in this study to help understand trends in care.
If you're an adult (18 or over) and had emergency care recently, you might be invited by your hospital team to answer a questionnaire about your experiences. Some people who complete the questionnaire might then be asked if they'd like to do a short interview to share more details about their care.
If you work at an ambulance service or hospital that's part of the study, and you're over 18, you might be asked to share your experiences and views on managing ambulance queues.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you an adult (18 or older)?
- Have you used an ambulance service or attended an Emergency Department in the last year?
- Were you recently invited by your hospital to take part in a survey?
- Are you a hospital or ambulance staff member working in a study location?
What does participation involve?
This study involves several different ways of collecting information, and you might take part in one or more. Some people's routine medical records from ambulance services and hospitals will be looked at to understand general trends in care. This is done securely and confidentially.
If you're invited to take part directly, you might be asked to complete a questionnaire about your experience of emergency care, your quality of life, and any safety concerns you had. Some people who fill out the questionnaire might then be invited for a short interview to talk more personally about their experiences. Researchers will also look at patient notes to understand safety issues. Hospital and ambulance staff will also be interviewed to get their perspectives. There are no visits to a study centre, new medical assessments, or study medications involved for patients. The study aims to gather existing information and experiences, and if you're invited, your involvement would be for a short period to complete a questionnaire or interview.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Not provided at time of registrationUnverifiedUnited Kingdom
Common questions
What is an 'ambulance handover delay'?
This is when an ambulance has to wait with a patient at the Emergency Department (ED) because there isn't space or staff available to take over their care immediately.
Will taking part affect my medical care?
No, whether you choose to take part or not, it will not affect the medical care you receive now or in the future.
How long will the study last?
The study itself runs from April 2024 to March 2027. If you're invited to take part, your involvement would be a one-off questionnaire or interview.
Who is paying for this research?
The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a major health research funder in the UK.
Will my personal details be kept private?
Yes, all your information will be handled with strict confidentiality and used in a way that protects your privacy.
How to find out more
Mark Kingston
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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