Find out more about current research within West Midlands Ambulance Service.
PACKMaN
The PACKMaN (Paramedic Analgesia Comparing Ketamine and MorphiNe in trauma) study will see whether ketamine, a strong painkiller already used by paramedics in other parts of the world, is better than morphine, the strong painkiller commonly used by UK paramedics. Ketamine is faster-acting and may have fewer unwanted side effects. All patients in this study will receive one of the two strong painkillers. For more information visit www.warwick.ac.uk/packman and www.wmas.nhs.uk/packman-2.
TRIM
This study examines “What TRIage model is safest and most effective for the Management of 999 callers with suspected COVID-19” (TRIM). We know different ambulance services uses different models to sort out – or triage callers – and this study aims to find out which works best during a pandemic. For more information click here
STRETCHED
The STRategies to manage Emergency ambulance Telephone Callers with sustained High needs – an Evaluation using linked Data (STRETCHED) study is assessing how ambulance services deal with frequent service users. These are callers who phone 999 more than 5 times a month or 12 times in 3 months. Some services use case management, but we do not know whether this approach is helpful. For more information see http://www.primecentre.wales/stretched.php.
MATTS
Currently, patients who require trauma care may be taken by ambulance to a specialist trauma hospital, bypassing their local acute hospital, meaning their care could potentially be further from their home. The Major Trauma Triage Tool Study (MATTS) is a project which aims to better identify patients who will benefit from Major Trauma Centre care. You can find out more here. You can also find out the latest about the study via Twitter by following @MATTS_Study. The study is ongoing, but early publications can be viewed by clicking on the following links: https://emj.bmj.com/content/37/10/e2.1 https://emj.bmj.com/content/37/10/e14.3 and https://www.injuryjournal.com/article/S0020-1383(21)00077-2/fulltext
OHCAO