Increased survival for resuscitated Utstein-comparator group patients conveyed directly to cardiac arrest centres in a large rural and suburban population in England.

AIM: The cohort of patients in which cardiac arrest centres (CAC) in rural and suburban populations confer the greatest survival benefit remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess whether the transfer of resuscitated Utstein-comparator out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients direct to a CAC was associated with improved survival to hospital discharge compared to patients conveyed to non-specialist centres. METHODS: A consecutive sample of adult (≥18 years old) Utstein-comparator patients (witnessed collapse and initial shockable rhythm) were included from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust Utstein resuscitation registry; 2018-2022. Logistic regression was used to compare survival to discharge in patients transported to CACs compared with patients transported to non-specialist centres. RESULTS: During the study period, resuscitation was attempted in 18,276 OHCA patients. N = 2448 (13.4%) met the Utstein-comparator definition and 1151 patients were included in the final analysis; per protocol. Survival was greater for patients conveyed directly to a CAC (n = 768, 60.7%) compared to non-specialist centres (n = 383, 47.3%); adjusted OR 1.44 (95%CI 1.07-1.94),p = 0.017. Amongst the centres analysed in this study, there was significant inter-hospital variability in survival between CACs (p = 0.017). There was no association between patient volume and survival (p = 0.850). CONCLUSION: Direct transport to a cardiac arrest centre was associated with a 44% increase in the odds of survival compared to conveyance to a non-specialist centre for resuscitated adult patients presenting with witnessed collapse and initial shockable OHCA rhythm.

The association between prehospital post-return of spontaneous circulation core temperature and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Following the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), a low body temperature on arrival at the hospital and on admission to the ICU is reportedly associated with increased mortality. Whether this association exists in the prehospital setting, however, is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the initial, prehospital core temperature measured post-ROSC is independently associated with survival to hospital discharge in adult patients following OHCA. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective observational study was conducted at East Anglian Air Ambulance, a physician-paramedic staffed Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in the East of England, UK. Adult OHCA patients attended by East Anglian Air Ambulance from 1 February 2015 to 30 June 2023, who had post-ROSC oesophageal temperature measurements were included. OUTCOME MEASURE AND ANALYSIS: The primary outcome measure was survival to hospital discharge. Core temperature was defined as the first oesophageal temperature recorded following ROSC. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the adjusted association between core temperature and survival to hospital discharge. MAIN RESULTS: Resuscitation was attempted in 3990 OHCA patients during the study period, of which 552 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 61 years, and 402 (72.8%) patients were male. Among them, 194 (35.1%) survived to hospital discharge. The mean core temperature was lower in nonsurvivors compared with those who survived hospital discharge; 34.6 and 35.2 °C, respectively (mean difference, -0.66; 95% CI, -0.87 to -0.44; P < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for survival was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.09-1.83; P = 0.01) for every 1.0 °C increase in core temperature between 32.5 and 36.9 °C. CONCLUSION: In adult patients with ROSC following OHCA, early prehospital core temperature is independently associated with survival to hospital discharge.

Implementation of advanced vascular access, physiological monitoring and goal-directed resuscitation during OHCA in a helicopter emergency medical service.

Outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remain poor in the UK. In order to increase the chances of successful resuscitation, international society guidelines on cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality have recommended titration of chest compression parameters and vasopressor administration to arterial diastolic blood pressure if invasive catheters are in situ at the time of cardiac arrest. However, prehospital initiation of arterial and central venous catheterisation is seldom undertaken due to the risks and significant technical challenges in the context of ongoing resuscitation in this environment. In 2019, a dedicated programme was started at East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) to enable the safe introduction of contemporary emergency vascular access devices, in order to improve physiological monitoring intra-arrest and deliver nuanced, goal-directed resuscitation in OHCA patients. This programme was entitled Specialist Percutaneous Emergency Aortic Resuscitation (SPEAR). This article details the EAAA SPEAR technique; and the development, implementation and governance of this novel endovascular strategy in our UK physician-paramedic staffed helicopter emergency medical service.

Prehospital invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring in critically ill patients attended by a UK helicopter emergency medical service- a retrospective observational review of practice.

BACKGROUND: Accurate haemodynamic monitoring in the prehospital setting is essential. Non-invasive blood pressure measurement is susceptible to vibration and motion artefact, especially at extremes of hypotension and hypertension: invasive arterial blood pressure (IABP) monitoring is a potential solution. This study describes the largest series to date of cases of IABP monitoring being initiated prehospital. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted at East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), a UK helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS). It included all patients attended by EAAA who underwent arterial catheterisation and initiation of IABP monitoring between 1st February 2015 and 20th April 2023. The following data were retrieved for all patients: sex; age; aetiology (medical cardiac arrest, other medical emergency, trauma); site of arterial cannulation; operator role (doctor/paramedic); time of insertion and, where applicable, times of pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia, and return of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterise the sample. RESULTS: 13,556 patients were attended: IABP monitoring was initiated in 1083 (8.0%) cases, with a median age 59 years, of which 70.8% were male. 546 cases were of medical cardiac arrest: in 22.4% of these IABP monitoring was initiated during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 322 were trauma cases, and the remaining 215 were medical emergencies. The patients were critically unwell: 981 required intubation, of which 789 underwent prehospital emergency anaesthesia; 609 received vasoactive medication. In 424 cases IABP monitoring was instituted en route to hospital. CONCLUSION: This study describes over 1000 cases of prehospital arterial catheterisation and IABP monitoring in a UK HEMS system and has demonstrated feasibility at scale. The high-fidelity of invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring with the additional benefit of arterial blood gas analysis presents an attractive translation of in-hospital critical care to the prehospital setting.

Critical hypertension in trauma patients following prehospital emergency anaesthesia: a multi-centre retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Critical hypertension in major trauma patients is associated with increased mortality. Prehospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA) is performed for 10% of the most seriously injured patients. Optimising oxygenation, ventilation, and cerebral perfusion, whilst avoiding extreme haemodynamic fluctuations are the cornerstones of reducing secondary brain injury. The aim of this study was to report the differential determinants of post-PHEA critical hypertension in a large regional dataset of trauma patients across three Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) organisations. METHODS: A multi-centre retrospective observational study of consecutive adult trauma patients undergoing PHEA across three HEMS in the United Kingdom; 2015-2022. Critical hypertension was defined as a new systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 180mmHg within 10 min of induction of anaesthesia, or > 10% increase if the baseline SBP was > 180mmHg prior to induction. Purposeful logistical regression was used to explore variables associated with post-PHEA critical hypertension in a multivariable model. Data are reported as number (percentage), and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: 30,744 patients were attended by HEMS during the study period; 2161 received PHEA and 1355 patients were included in the final analysis. 161 (11.9%) patients had one or more new episode(s) of critical hypertension ≤ 10 min post-PHEA. Increasing age (compared with 16-34 years): 35-54 years (OR 1.76, 95%CI 1.03-3.06); 55-74 years (OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.19-3.44); ≥75 years (OR 2.38, 95%CI 1.31-4.35), pre-PHEA Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) motor score four (OR 2.17, 95%CI 1.19-4.01) and five (OR 2.82, 95%CI 1.60-7.09), patients with a pre-PHEA SBP > 140mmHg (OR 6.72, 95%CI 4.38-10.54), and more than one intubation attempt (OR 1.75, 95%CI 1.01-2.96) were associated with post-PHEA critical hypertension. CONCLUSION: Delivery of PHEA to seriously injured trauma patients risks haemodynamic fluctuation. In adult trauma patients undergoing PHEA, 11.9% of patients experienced post-PHEA critical hypertension. Increasing age, pre-PHEA GCS motor score four and five, patients with a pre-PHEA SBP > 140mmHg, and more than intubation attempt were independently associated with post-PHEA critical hypertension.

Predictors of post-intubation hypotension in trauma patients following prehospital emergency anaesthesia: a multi-centre observational study.

BACKGROUND: Post-intubation hypotension (PIH) after prehospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA) is prevalent and associated with increased mortality in trauma patients. The objective of this study was to compare the differential determinants of PIH in adult trauma patients undergoing PHEA. METHODS: This multi-centre retrospective observational study was performed across three Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in the UK. Consecutive sampling of trauma patients who underwent PHEA using a fentanyl, ketamine, rocuronium drug regime were included, 2015-2020. Hypotension was defined as a new systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg within 10 min of induction, or > 10% reduction if SBP was < 90 mmHg before induction. A purposeful selection logistic regression model was used to determine pre-PHEA variables associated with PIH. RESULTS: During the study period 21,848 patients were attended, and 1,583 trauma patients underwent PHEA. The final analysis included 998 patients. 218 (21.8%) patients had one or more episode(s) of hypotension ≤ 10 min of induction. Patients > 55 years old; pre-PHEA tachycardia; multi-system injuries; and intravenous crystalloid administration before arrival of the HEMS team were the variables significantly associated with PIH. Induction drug regimes in which fentanyl was omitted (0:1:1 and 0:0:1 (rocuronium-only)) were the determinants with the largest effect sizes associated with hypotension. CONCLUSION: The variables significantly associated with PIH only account for a small proportion of the observed outcome. Clinician gestalt and provider intuition is likely to be the strongest predictor of PIH, suggested by the choice of a reduced dose induction and/or the omission of fentanyl during the anaesthetic for patients perceived to be at highest risk.

Nine golden codes: improving the accuracy of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) dispatch-a retrospective, multi-organisational study in the East of England.

BACKGROUND: Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) are a limited and expensive resource, and should be intelligently tasked. HEMS dispatch was identified as a key research priority in 2011, with a call to identify a 'general set of criteria with the highest discriminating potential'. However, there have been no published data analyses in the past decade that specifically address this priority, and this priority has been reaffirmed in 2023. The objective of this study was to define the dispatch criteria available at the time of the initial emergency call with the greatest HEMS utility using a large, regional, multi-organizational dataset in the UK. METHODS: This retrospective observational study utilized dispatch data from a regional emergency medical service (EMS) and three HEMS organisations in the East of England, 2016-2019. In a logistic regression model, Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (AMPDS) codes with ≥ 50 HEMS dispatches in the study period were compared with the remainder to identify codes with high-levels of HEMS patient contact and HEMS-level intervention/drug/diagnostic (HLIDD). The primary outcome was to identify AMPDS codes with a > 10% HEMS dispatch rate of all EMS taskings that would result in 10-20 high-utility HEMS dispatches per 24-h period in the East of England. Data were analysed in R, and are reported as number (percentage); significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were n = 25,491 HEMS dispatches (6400 per year), of which n = 23,030 (90.3%) had an associated AMPDS code. n = 13,778 (59.8%) of HEMS dispatches resulted in patient contact, and n = 8437 (36.6%) had an HLIDD. 43 AMPDS codes had significantly greater rates of patient contact and/or HLIDD compared to the reference group. In an exploratory analysis, a cut-off of ≥ 70% patient contact rate and/or ≥ 70% HLIDD (with a > 10% HEMS dispatch of all EMS taskings) resulted in 17 taskings per 24-h period. This definition derived nine AMPDS codes with high HEMS utility. CONCLUSION: We have identified nine 'golden' AMPDS codes, available at the time of initial emergency call, that are associated with high-levels of whole-system and HEMS utility in the East of England. We propose that UK EMS should consider immediate HEMS dispatch to these codes.

Intubation success in prehospital emergency anaesthesia: a retrospective observational analysis of the Inter-Changeable Operator Model (ICOM).

BACKGROUND: Pre hospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA) is a complex procedure with significant risks. First-pass intubation success (FPS) is recommended as a quality indicator in pre hospital advanced airway management. Previous data demonstrating significantly lower FPS by non-physicians does not distinguish between non-physicians operating in isolation or within physician teams. In several UK HEMS, the role of the intubating provider is interchangeable between the physician and critical care paramedic-termed the Inter-Changeable Operator Model (ICOM). The objectives of this study were to compare first-pass intubation success rate between physicians and critical care paramedics (CCP) in a large regional, multi-organisational dataset of trauma PHEA patients, and to report the application of the ICOM. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of consecutive trauma patients ≥ 16 years old who underwent PHEA at two different ICOM Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in the East of England, 2015-2020. Data are presented as number (percentage) and median [inter-quartile range]. Fisher's exact test was used to compare proportions, reported as odds ratio (OR (95% confidence interval, 95% CI)), p value. The study design complied with the STROBE (Strengthening The Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology) reporting guidelines. RESULTS: In the study period, 13,654 patients were attended. 674 (4.9%) trauma patients ≥ 16 years old who underwent PHEA were included in the final analysis: the median age was 44 [28-63] years old, and 502 (74.5%) were male. There was no significant difference in the FPS rate between physicians and CCPs-90.2% and 87.4% respectively, OR 1.3 (95% CI 0.7-2.5), p = 0.38. The cumulative first, second, third, and fourth-pass intubation success rates were 89.6%, 98.7%, 99.7%, and 100%. Patients who had a physician-operated initial intubation attempt weighed more and had a higher heart rate, compared to those who had a CCP-operated initial attempt. CONCLUSION: In an ICOM setting, we demonstrated 100% intubation success in adult trauma patients undergoing PHEA. There was no significant difference in first-pass intubation success between physicians and CCPs.

Does walking explain associations between access to greenspace and lower mortality?

Despite emerging evidence that access to greenspace is associated with longer life expectancy, little is understood about what causal mechanisms may explain this relationship. Based on social-ecological theories of health, greenspace has multifaceted potential to influence mortality but the potential alternative mediating pathways have not been empirically tested. This study evaluates relationships between access to greenspace, walking and mortality. Firstly, we test for an association between access to greenspace and self-reported levels of walking using a survey of 165,424 adults across England collected during 2007 and 2008. Negative binomial regression multilevel models were used to examine associations between greenspace access and self reported number of days walked in the last month, in total and for recreational and health purposes, after controlling for relevant confounders. Secondly we use an area level analysis of 6781 middle super output areas across England to examine if recreational walking mediates relationships between greenspace access and reduced premature mortality from circulatory disease. Results show clear evidence of better greenspace access being associated with higher reported recreational walking. There were between 13% and 18% more days of recreational walking in the greenest quintile compared with the least green after adjustment for confounders. Tests for mediation found no evidence that recreational walking explain the associations between greenspace and mortality. Futhermore, whilst the relationship between greenspace access and walking was observed for all areas, the relationship between greenspace access and reduced mortality was only apparent in the most deprived areas. These findings indicate that the association between greenspace and mortality, if causal, may be explained by mediators other than walking, such as psychosocial factors. Future research should concentrate on understanding the causal mechanisms underlying observed associations.

What can global positioning systems tell us about the contribution of different types of urban greenspace to children's physical activity?

Urban greenspace is hypothesised to be an important location for physical activity in children, but their actual use of the resource to be active is not well known. In this study, global positioning systems (GPS) and accelerometers were used to measure activity within green environments for 902 English children aged 11-12. We summarised activity intensities in different types of greenspace on weekday evenings, weekend days and by season. Around half of outdoor moderate-vigorous activity took place in greenspace at the weekend and use was consistent across seasons. The findings suggest the importance of certain types of greenspace to children's physical activity.

What impact has England's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy had on young people's knowledge of and access to contraceptive services?

PURPOSE: To describe young people's knowledge and use of contraceptive services over initial stages of England's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, and to investigate factors associated with use of different services. METHODS: A random location sample of young people aged 13-21 years (n = 8879) was interviewed in 12 waves over 2000-2004. Individual data were analysed to investigate factors associated with knowledge and use of contraceptive services and to observe trends over time. Area-level data were analyzed to explore differences in key variables. RESULTS: In all, 77% of young women and 65% of young men surveyed knew a service they could use to obtain information about sex. Amongst those who had had vaginal sexual intercourse, the most common source of contraceptive supplies was general practice for young women (54%) and commercial venues for young men (54%). Young women's use of school-based services to obtain supplies increased significantly from 15.4% in Year 1 to 24.4% in Year 4, p < .001. Young men's use of the commercial sector declined significantly over the same time period (60.3% to 50.6%, p = .002), while their use of general practice and family planning clinics increased (from 8.9% to 12.4%, p = .008, and 21.2% to 29.1%, p = .054, respectively). Use of family planning clinics and designated young people's clinics was associated with first vaginal intercourse before the 16th birthday and living in a deprived area. CONCLUSIONS: Young people's patterns of contraceptive service use have changed since implementation of the Strategy; although no increase in overall service use was observed. The contribution of school-based services needs further exploration.

Teenage conceptions, abortions, and births in England, 1994-2003, and the national teenage pregnancy strategy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantify the change in the number of conceptions and abortions among women younger than 18 years in England in relation to the government's national teenage pregnancy strategy. METHODS: We undertook geographic analysis of data for 148 top-tier local authority areas. The main outcomes were changes in under-18 conceptions, abortions, and births between the 5-year period before implementation of the strategy (1994-98) and the period immediately after implementation (1999-2003). FINDINGS: The number of teenage conceptions peaked in 1998, then declined after the implementation in 1999 of the teenage pregnancy strategy. Under-18 conception rates fell by an average of 2.0% (95% CI 1.8 to 2.2) per year between 1998 and 2003, below the rate needed to achieve the target of 50% reduction by 2010. The net change between 1994-98 and 1999-2003 was a fall in conceptions of 3.2% (2.6 to 3.9) or 1.4 per 1000 women aged 15-17 years, a rise in abortions of 7.5% (6.5 to 8.6) or 1.4 per 1000, and a fall in births of 10.6% (9.9 to 11.3) or 2.8 per 1000. The change in the number of conceptions was greater in deprived and more rural areas, and in those with lower educational attainment. The change was greater in areas where services and access to them were poorer, but greater where more strategy-related resources had been targeted. INTERPRETATION: The decline in under-18 conception and birth rates since 1998 and evidence that the declines have been greatest in areas receiving higher amounts of strategy-related funding provides limited evidence of the effect of England's national teenage pregnancy strategy. The full effect of local prevention will be clear only with longer observation, and substantial further progress is needed to remedy England's historically poor international position in teenage conceptions.