CURE research impact
The research conducted by the Centre for Urgent and Emergency Care Research (CURE) has had significant impact in the field of urgent and emergency care.
Improving treatment for heart attack patients
Our evaluation of the National Infarct Angioplasty Pilot showed that primary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (heart attack) is feasible, cost-effective and acceptable to patients and carers. As a direct result, a new national strategy using primary angioplasty was published in the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. National audit data has since shown the proportion of patients receiving primary angioplasty increasing from 42% to 73% and mortality falling from 10.6% to 8.7%. An impact assessment based on our economic analysis estimated a £294 million net benefit to the NHS.
Changed clinical guidelines to improve the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Our research has led to the development of guidelines on the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), reducing the risk of death and saving resources by reducing unnecessary tests and treatments. Our meta-analysis and decision-analysis modelling studies formed the basis of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines for diagnosing DVT. These guidelines determine the management of over 140,000 patients each year in the United Kingdom with suspected DVT, and many more in other countries.
Identifying poor trauma care: A new measure implemented by NHS England
The 2014 Trauma Probability of Survival Model “PS14” was developed as a direct result of research led by CURE researchers. Trauma probability of survival models are used to predict outcomes after serious injury and provide a comparison against which actual outcomes can be compared for research and quality assurance purposes. PS14 is now the sole survival prediction model used for quality assurance in trauma care in NHS England, Wales, the Irish Republic and some hospitals in continental Europe. It is used to evaluate changes to the trauma system and improve the quality of trauma care.
Safely reducing hospital transfers for older patients using advanced paramedic practitioners in urgent and emergency care
Our research showed that paramedics with extended skills can provide a clinically effective alternative to standard ambulance transfer and treatment in an emergency department for elderly patients with acute minor conditions. As a result many ambulance services have implemented paramedic practitioner and emergency care practitioner roles allowing older people with acute minor conditions to be treated at home rather than being transferred to hospital.