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Short report
The challenges of conducting prehospital research: successes and lessons learnt from the Head Injury Transportation Straight to Neurosurgery (HITS-NS) trial Graham McClelland,1 Elspeth Pennington,2 Sonia Byers,1 Wanda Russell,3 Fiona Lecky4 1
Research and Development Department, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK 2 North West Ambulance Service, Bolton, UK 3 University of Manchester, Manchester, UK 4 Emergency Medicine Research in Sheffield (EMRiS), University of Sheffield/University of Manchester/Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK Correspondence to Graham McClelland, Research and Development Department, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Bernicia House, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15 8NY, UK; [email protected]. uk Received 7 April 2014 Revised 30 November 2014 Accepted 15 December 2014 Published Online First 8 January 2015
ABSTRACT Head Injury Transportation Straight to Neurosurgery was a cluster randomised trial studying suspected severe head injury treatment pathways conducted in the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust between January 2012 and March 2013. This was the world’s first large scale trial of any trauma bypass and was conducted as a feasibility study. This short report will describe some of the lessons learnt during this ground breaking and complex trial.
A variety of different training methods were tried. Face to face training was preferred as questions could be addressed immediately. Cascading through senior paramedics met with mixed success due to the existing workload of this group. Self-directed learning via a workbook delivered to participant’s homes proved an effective method of delivering training across a large geographical area within the time constraints. If resources allow, protected training time may overcome many issues.
LAUNCHING THE TRIAL BACKGROUND Severe head injury (SHI) is the commonest cause of death and disability in people aged
Short report
The challenges of conducting prehospital research: successes and lessons learnt from the Head Injury Transportation Straight to Neurosurgery (HITS-NS) trial Graham McClelland,1 Elspeth Pennington,2 Sonia Byers,1 Wanda Russell,3 Fiona Lecky4 1
Research and Development Department, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK 2 North West Ambulance Service, Bolton, UK 3 University of Manchester, Manchester, UK 4 Emergency Medicine Research in Sheffield (EMRiS), University of Sheffield/University of Manchester/Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK Correspondence to Graham McClelland, Research and Development Department, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Bernicia House, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Riverside, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15 8NY, UK; [email protected]. uk Received 7 April 2014 Revised 30 November 2014 Accepted 15 December 2014 Published Online First 8 January 2015
ABSTRACT Head Injury Transportation Straight to Neurosurgery was a cluster randomised trial studying suspected severe head injury treatment pathways conducted in the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust between January 2012 and March 2013. This was the world’s first large scale trial of any trauma bypass and was conducted as a feasibility study. This short report will describe some of the lessons learnt during this ground breaking and complex trial.
A variety of different training methods were tried. Face to face training was preferred as questions could be addressed immediately. Cascading through senior paramedics met with mixed success due to the existing workload of this group. Self-directed learning via a workbook delivered to participant’s homes proved an effective method of delivering training across a large geographical area within the time constraints. If resources allow, protected training time may overcome many issues.
LAUNCHING THE TRIAL BACKGROUND Severe head injury (SHI) is the commonest cause of death and disability in people aged
