The SEE-IT Trial: emergency medical services Streaming Enabled Evaluation In Trauma: study protocol for an interventional feasibility randomised controlled trial

Introduction
Accurate and timely dispatch of emergency medical services (EMS) is vital due to limited resources and patients’ risk of mortality and morbidity increasing with time. Currently, most UK emergency operations centres (EOCs) rely on audio calls and accurate descriptions of the incident and patients’ injuries from lay 999 callers. If dispatchers in the EOCs could see the scene via live video streaming from the caller’s smartphone, this may enhance their decision making and enable quicker and more accurate dispatch of EMS. The main aim of this feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to assess the feasibility of conducting a definitive RCT to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of using live streaming to improve targeting of EMS.

Methods and analysis
The SEE-IT Trial is a feasibility RCT with a nested process evaluation. The study also has two observational substudies: (1) in an EOC that routinely uses live streaming to assess the acceptability and feasibility of live streaming in a diverse inner-city population and (2) in an EOC that does not currently use live streaming to act as a comparator site regarding the psychological well-being of EOC staff using versus not using live streaming.

Ethics and dissemination
The study was approved by the Health Research Authority on 23 March 2022 (ref: 21/LO/0912), which included NHS Confidentiality Advisory Group approval received on 22 March 2022 (ref: 22/CAG/0003). This manuscript refers to V.0.8 of the protocol (7 November 2022). The trial is registered with the ISRCTN (ISRCTN11449333). The first participant was recruited on 18 June 2022.
The main output of this feasibility trial will be the knowledge gained to help inform the development of a large multicentre RCT to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of the use of live streaming to aid EMS dispatch for trauma incidents.

Trial registration number
ISRCTN11449333.

Leggi
Aprile 2023

Validation of the Pediatric Resuscitation and Trauma Outcome (PRESTO) model in injury patients in Tanzania

Introduction
Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of unintentional paediatric injury deaths. The Pediatric Resuscitation and Trauma Outcome (PRESTO) model predicts mortality using patient variables available in low-resource settings: age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, need for supplemental oxygen (SO) and neurologic status (Alert Verbal Painful Unresponsive (AVPU)). We sought to validate and assess the prognostic performance of PRESTO for paediatric injury patients at a tertiary referral hospital in Northern Tanzania.

Methods
This is a cross-sectional study from a prospective trauma registry from November 2020 to April 2022. We performed exploratory analysis of sociodemographic variables and developed a logistic regression model to predict mortality using R (V.4.1). The logistic regression model was evaluated using area under the receiver operating curve (AUC).

Results
499 patients were enrolled with a median age of 7 years (IQR 3.41–11.18). 65% were boys, and in-hospital mortality was 7.1%. Most were classified as alert on AVPU Scale (n=326, 86%) and had normal SBP (n=351, 98%). Median HR was 107 (IQR 88.5–124). The logistic regression model based on the original PRESTO model revealed that AVPU, HR and SO were statistically significant to predict in-hospital mortality. The model fit to our population revealed AUC=0.81, sensitivity=0.71 and specificity=0.79.

Conclusion
This is the first validation of a model to predict mortality for paediatric injury patients in Tanzania. Despite the low number of participants, our results show good predictive potential. Further research with a larger injury population should be done to improve the model for our population, such as through calibration.

Leggi
Aprile 2023

Role of single-dose intravenous iron therapy for the treatment of anaemia after orthopaedic trauma: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

Introduction
Orthopaedic trauma and fracture care commonly cause perioperative anaemia and associated functional iron deficiency due to a systemic inflammatory state. Modern, strict transfusion thresholds leave many patients anaemic; managing this perioperative anaemia is an opportunity to impact outcomes in orthopaedic trauma surgery. The primary outcome of this pilot study is feasibility for a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate intravenous iron therapy (IVIT) to improve patient well-being following orthopaedic injury. Measurements will include rate of participant enrolment, screening failure, follow-up, missing data, adverse events and protocol deviation.

Methods and analysis
This single-centre, pilot, double-blind RCT investigates the use of IVIT for acute blood loss anaemia in traumatically injured orthopaedic patients. Patients are randomised to receive either a single dose infusion of low-molecular weight iron dextran (1000 mg) or placebo (normal saline) postoperatively during their hospital stay for trauma management. Eligible subjects include adult patients admitted for lower extremity or pelvis operative fracture care with a haemoglobin of 7–11 g/dL within 7 days postoperatively during inpatient care. Exclusion criteria include history of intolerance to intravenous iron supplementation, active haemorrhage requiring ongoing blood product resuscitation, multiple planned procedures, pre-existing haematologic disorders or chronic inflammatory states, iron overload on screening or vulnerable populations. We follow patients for 3 months to measure the effect of iron supplementation on clinical outcomes (resolution of anaemia and functional iron deficiency), patient-reported outcomes (fatigue, physical function, depression and quality of life) and translational measures of immune cell function.

Ethics and dissemination
This study has ethics approval (Oregon Health & Science University Institutional Review Board, STUDY00022441). We will disseminate the findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number
NCT05292001; ClinicalTrials.gov.

Leggi
Marzo 2023

Feasibility evaluation of the Reaching Out to Kids with Emotional Trauma (ROcKET) intervention in an elementary school: a single-arm, single-centre, feasibility study based on the RE-AIM framework

Objective
The study purpose was to describe feasibility of implementation of the Reaching Out to Kids with Emotional Trauma (ROcKET) intervention. We hypothesised that the ROcKET Intervention would be feasible in a poor resource school.

Design
We performed a single-arm, single-centr feasibility study of an intervention pilot, based on the RE-AIM framework.

Setting
The intervention was delivered in a single K-4th elementary charter school in the Nashville, TN area, in a low-resource community.

Participants
57 elementary school children attending our partner school and reporting exposure to at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) and their parents.

Interventions
The Reaching Out to Kids with Emotional Trauma (ROcKET) intervention is a school-based multilevel intervention (individual child, family and school) that promotes positive health behaviours in children who have been exposed to ACEs.

Outcomes
Outcomes were gathered qualitatively via focus groups. The primary outcome was feasibility. The secondary outcomes were implementation outcomes according to the RE-AIM framework, including Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption and Implementation.

Results
Of 105 eligible children, 57 children and their parents participated (54%) with 31 (54%) girls, 47 (82%) Black/African American, 5 (9%) Hispanic and 5 (9%) white. The school staff implemented all planned ROcKET sessions with >90% fidelity in each session, and 52 (91%) of children who completed the final intervention session went on to complete 6 month follow-up assessments. The average attendance at the in-school child sessions was 57 students (87%), and 35 (61%) of parents attended at least one family session, with 25 (44%) of parents attending at least half of the family sessions. 13 (23%) parents participated in the focus groups. Qualitative data suggested high parent participant satisfaction, uptake of positive health behaviours targeted by the intervention and increased quality of life.

Conclusions
Our study suggests that the ROcKET intervention was feasible and acceptably delivered in a local elementary school with high reach to low-income and minority populations. These data suggest that schools, especially those serving low-income and minority children, can be an appropriate avenue for interventions designed to address health disparities. Data from this study will be used to advise a pilot study of the intervention.

Leggi
Marzo 2023

Configurations and outcomes of acute hospital care for frail and older patients with moderate to major trauma: a systematic review

Objective
To systematically review research on acute hospital care for frail or older adults experiencing moderate to major trauma.

Setting
Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, ASSIA, CINAHL Plus, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, EconLit, The Cochrane Library) were searched using index and key words, and reference lists and related articles hand-searched.

Included articles
Peer-reviewed articles of any study design, published in English, 1999–2020 inclusive, referring to models of care for frail and/or older people in the acute hospital phase of care following traumatic injury defined as either moderate or major (mean or median Injury Severity Score ≥9). Excluded articles reported no empirical findings, were abstracts or literature reviews, or referred to frailty screening alone.

Methods
Screening abstracts and full text, and completing data extractions and quality assessments using QualSyst was a blinded parallel process. A narrative synthesis, grouped by intervention type, was undertaken.

Outcome measures
Any outcomes reported for patients, staff or care system.

Results
17 603 references were identified and 518 read in full; 22 were included—frailty and major trauma (n=0), frailty and moderate trauma (n=1), older people and major trauma (n=8), moderate or major trauma (n=7) 0r moderate trauma (n=6) . Studies were observational, heterogeneous in intervention and with variable methodological quality.
Specific attention given to the care of older and/or frail people with moderate to major trauma in the North American context resulted in improvements to in-hospital processes and clinical outcomes, but highlights a relative paucity of evidence, particularly in relation to the first 48 hours post-injury.

Conclusions
This systematic review supports the need for, and further research into an intervention to address the care of frail and/or older patients with major trauma, and for the careful definition of age and frailty in relation to moderate or major trauma.

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO)
CRD42016032895.

Leggi
Febbraio 2023

Facilitators and barriers impacting in-hospital Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) implementation across country income levels: a scoping review

Objective
Trauma is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, disproportionately affecting low/middle-income countries (LMICs). Understanding the factors determining implementation success for in-hospital Trauma Quality Improvement Programs (TQIPs) is critical to reducing the global trauma burden. We synthesised topical literature to identify key facilitators and barriers to in-hospital TQIP implementation across country income levels.

Design
Scoping review.

Data sources
PubMed, Web of Science and Global Index Medicus databases were searched from June 2009 to January 2022.

Eligibility criteria
Published literature involving any study design, written in English and evaluating any implemented in-hospital quality improvement programme in trauma populations worldwide. Literature that was non-English, unpublished and involved non-hospital TQIPs was excluded.

Data extraction and synthesis
Two reviewers completed a three-stage screening process using Covidence, with any discrepancies resolved through a third reviewer. Content analysis using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research identified facilitator and barrier themes for in-hospital TQIP implementation.

Results
Twenty-eight studies met the eligibility criteria from 3923 studies identified. The most discussed in-hospital TQIPs in included literature were trauma registries. Facilitators and barriers were similar across all country income levels. The main facilitator themes identified were the prioritisation of staff education and training, strengthening stakeholder dialogue and providing standardised best-practice guidelines. The key barrier theme identified in LMICs was poor data quality, while high-income countries (HICs) had reduced communication across professional hierarchies.

Conclusions
Stakeholder prioritisation of in-hospital TQIPs, along with increased knowledge and consensus of trauma care best practices, are essential efforts to reduce the global trauma burden. The primary focus of future studies on in-hospital TQIPs in LMICs should target improving registry data quality, while interventions in HICs should target strengthening communication channels between healthcare professionals.

Leggi
Febbraio 2023

Design, development and randomised controlled trial protocol of a smartphone-delivered version of 'SOLAR for emergency service workers to manage stress and trauma

Introduction
Emergency service workers are routinely exposed to stress and trauma, and there is a need to address mental health symptoms early to prevent chronic impairment and/or psychiatric disorder. Digital health innovations mean that face-to-face psychosocial interventions can now be delivered remotely, which is particularly appealing to populations who have strong preferences for digital delivery, such as emergency service workers. This two phase study aims to first adapt the Skills fOr Life Adjustment and Resilience (SOLAR) programme into a smartphone application (‘app’), and then evaluate the effectiveness of this new app.
Methods and analyses
First, focus groups and codesign activities with mental health professionals and emergency service workers will be conducted to develop and test the prototype smartphone version of SOLAR (ie, SOLAR-m). Second, a multicentre randomised controlled trial will investigate the effectiveness of the new app, compared with an active control app, in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression (primary outcome), as well as other indicators of mental health and work performance. Firefighters from one of the largest urban fire and rescue services in Australia who are currently experiencing distress will be invited to participate. After screening and baseline assessment, 240 will be randomised to receive either SOLAR-m or the control app for 5 weeks, with measurements pre, post and 3-month follow-up. Analyses will be conducted within an intention-to-treat framework using mixed modelling.

Ethics and dissemination
The current trial has received ethics approval from the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee (2021-20632-18826-5). Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences, with a focus on how to expand the new app to other trauma-affected populations if proven effective.

Trial registration number
ANZCTRN12621001141831.

Leggi
Febbraio 2023

Trauma

This essay describes the author’s experience with childhood trauma through the lens of a cancer diagnosis.

Leggi
Gennaio 2023

Hospital-based patient navigation programs for patients who experience injury-related trauma and their caregivers: a scoping review

Objective
This review’s objective is to map the literature on the characteristics, impact, barriers and facilitators of hospital-based patient navigation programmes that support patients who experience injury-related trauma and their caregivers. Patients who experience injury-related trauma frequently require support from multiple care teams and face many challenges to care, both in hospital and when transitioning across settings and services. Patient navigation can improve their care.

Design
This review is conducted according to JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The initial database search took place on 6 June 2021 and the grey literature search took place between September and October 2021. The results are presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses for Scoping Reviews flow diagram.

Setting
This review considered materials where the patient navigation programmes were delivered in hospital settings. There was no geographical limit to this study.

Participants
This review focused on hospital-based patient navigation programmes for patients who experience injury-related trauma and/or their caregivers.

Results
This review captured 11 records that describe 10 programmes. All programmes were based in the USA. Most programmes provided education, care coordination, discharge planning, and referrals to resources, services, and programmes to assist patients and/or their families in the hospital or the community. Half the programmes were based in level 1 trauma centres. Common impacts included decreases in readmission rates and increases in satisfaction rates. Barriers included difficulty recruiting or enrolling patients with short hospital stays and hospital administrators’ and healthcare providers’ lack of understanding of the navigator role. Navigator background, either professional or experiential, was identified as a facilitator, as was flexibility in programme delivery and communication methods.

Conclusions
Eleven records show a small but distinct sample. Reported characteristics, impact, barriers and facilitators were consistent with findings from other patient navigation studies. The results can inform the development and implementation of similar programmes in trauma centres and support changes in policy to improve the delivery of care.

Leggi
Dicembre 2022

Quality evaluation of clinical practice guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic trauma based on AGREE II and AGREE-REX: a systematic review protocol

Introduction
Orthopaedic trauma patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). As VTE prophylaxis has gradually raised public concerns, guidelines related to this topic have increased over time. However, the existing recommendations of thromboprophylaxis guidelines in orthopaedic trauma patients are still inconsistent, and the quality of the guidelines and recommendations for the topic still lacks comprehensive assessments. This review aims to critically appraise clinical practice guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic trauma patients.

Methods and analysis
We will conduct a comprehensive literature search up to 31 October 2022 in databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, etc), academic websites and guideline repositories. The quality of the guidelines and recommendations will be assessed by five reviewers independently using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation II instrument (AGREE-II) and the AGREE – Recommendation EXcellence (AGREE-REX). We will summarise the characteristics of the guidelines and compare the differences between these recommendations.

Ethics and dissemination
This study will follow the Declaration of Helsinki and has received approval from the Ethics Committee on Biomedical Research, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (ethics approval no. 2021-989). The results will be summarised as a paper, disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, and will help guide further research in the future.

Protocol registration number
CRD42021273405.

Leggi
Novembre 2022