A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of community Paramedic Practitioners managing Older People calling 999 with minor conditions

ISRCTN ISRCTN27796329
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN27796329
Protocol serial number 577/1962
Sponsor The Health Foundation (UK)
Funder The Health Foundation (UK) (ref: 577/1962)
Submission date
17/11/2006
Registration date
05/01/2007
Last edited
08/10/2007
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Suzanne Mason
Scientific

Health Services Research
School of Health and Related Research
University of Sheffield
Regent Street
Sheffield
S1 4DA
United Kingdom

Study information

Primary study designInterventional
Study designCluster randomised controlled trial
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Scientific title
Study acronymPPOPS
Study objectivesAims:
1. Comparing differences in patient experience and satisfaction of community paramedic practitioners with the existing standard service.
2. Comparing the clinical and cost effectiveness of community paramedic practitioners with the existing standard service.
3. Assessing the effects of community paramedic practitioners on ambulance service and Emergency Department (ED) performance.
Ethics approval(s)The study was approved by North Sheffield LREC on the 31st March 2003, (ref: NS2002 9 1452).
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedMinor injuries such as falls, lacerations, epistaxis, minor burns, foreign body - ENT (Ears, Nose and Throat) only
InterventionIntervention:
A community based paramedic scheme intended to deliver patient centred care to older people calling the emergency services with conditions triaged as not immediately life threatening.

Control group:
Care as usual. In practice, this was an ambulance, followed by conveyance to an ED (unless the patient refused to travel to hospital).
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure(s)

1. Emergency Department attendance or hospital admission between zero and 28 days
2. Interval from time of call to time of discharge
3. Patient satisfaction with the service received

Key secondary outcome measure(s)

1. Investigations and treatments prescribed
2. Subsequent use of health services within 28 days
3. Health status and mortality at 28 days
4. Costs

Completion date26/09/2004

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupSenior
SexNot Specified
Target sample size at registration2200
Key inclusion criteriaPatients aged 60 years and above were eligible for study inclusion following a call to the ambulance service if the call:
1. Originated from a Sheffield postcode
2. Was received between 08:00 am and 20:00 pm
3. Presenting with a complaint that fell within the scope of practice of the paramedic practitioners
Key exclusion criteriaNo exclusion criteria
Date of first enrolment01/09/2003
Date of final enrolment26/09/2004

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom
  • England

Study participating centre

Health Services Research
Sheffield
S1 4DA
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article Results 03/11/2007 Yes No
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