Researching Emergency Ambulance calls to Care Homes: a mixed methods study (REACH)

• Prof Niro Siriwardena, CaHRU, University of Lincoln
• Mrs Nicoya Palastanga, Public and Patient Involvement contributor from Healthier Ageing PPI (HAPPI) group
• Mrs Lissie Wilkins, Public and Patient Involvement contributor, HAPPI group
• Rob Spaight, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS)
• Elizabeth Miller, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS)
• Dr Vanessa Botan, CaHRU, University of Lincoln
• Ms Despina Laparidou CaHRU, University of Lincoln
• Mr Greg Whitley, CaHRU, University of Lincoln
• Dr Elise Rowan, CaHRU, University of Lincoln
• Prof Adam Gordon, University of Nottingham
• Prof Graham Law, CaHRU, University of Lincoln

• University of Lincoln
• Healthier Ageing PPI group
• University of Nottingham
• East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust

1. Systematically review studies investigating effectiveness of interventions to improve outcomes and experiences of emergency care in care homes.
2. Describe care home approaches, policies, and protocols for emergencies.
3. Investigate demographic, organisational, and clinical predictors of ambulance attendance and conveyance to hospital for people residing in care homes.
4. Explore residents or their relatives and staff perceptions of past, present, and possible future interventions to improve outcomes and experiences of emergencies in care homes.
5. Integrate data to develop a list of interventions for future improvement.
6. Prioritise and recommend interventions that do or are likely to improve outcomes and experiences of care home residents with emergency conditions and experiences of staff involved in their care

Curtis F, Jayawickrama WIU, Laparidou D, Weligamage D, Kumarawansha WKWS, Ortega M, Siriwardena AN (2021). Perceptions and experiences of residents and relatives of emergencies in care homes: A systematic review and metasynthesis. Age and Ageing 2021; 50(6): 1925–1934.

Conference presentations

Botan V, Law G, Laparidou D, Phung VH, Curtis F, Whitley G, Akanuwe J, Rowan E, Fothergill R, McCranor T, Bowler S, Kordowicz M, Palastanga N, Wilkins L, Spaight R, Miller E, Gordon A, Siriwardena AN. PP62 Predictors of conveyance to hospital by ambulance services of care home patients. Poster at 999 EMS Research Forum, Manchester 2023. EMJ 2023; 40 (Suppl 1): A26-A26.

Laparidou D, Phung VH, Curtis F, Whitley G, Botan V, Akanuwe J, Rowan E, Fothergill R, McCranor T, Bowler S, Kordowicz M, Palastanga N, Wilkins L, Spaight R, Miller E, Gordon AL, Law G, Siriwardena AN. PP53 A qualitative study of ambulance personnel, care staff and service users’ experiences and perceptions of emergency care in care homes. Poster at 999 EMS Research Forum, Manchester 2023. EMJ 2023; 40 (Suppl 1): A22-A22.

Botan V, Law G, Laparidou D, Phung VH, Curtis F, Whitley G, Akanuwe J, Rowan E, Fothergill R, McCranor T, Bowler S, Kordowicz M, Palastanga N, Wilkins L, Spaight R, Miller E, Gordon A, Siriwardena AN. PP63 Variations in the number of ambulance attendances to care homes before and during Covid-19 pandemic: an interrupted time series analysis. Poster at 999 EMS Research Forum, Manchester 2023. EMJ 2023; 40 (Suppl 1): A26-A26.