MPDS Maternity Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Emergency Medical Dispatcher recognition of maternity emergencies using the International Academy Medical Priority Dispatch System: a mixed methods study
IRAS ID
252545
Contact name
Rachael Fothergill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
The Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is a telephone triage tool used by Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) across the world to determine the priority of a patient’s need and the appropriate resource allocation required from the ambulance service. MPDS contains 36 protocols which can be used to triage a patient. Protocol number 24 guides EMDs to triage pregnancy, childbirth and miscarriage related calls. The evidence behind the key questions that make up Protocol 24 were originally developed through expert consensus, with modifications being made by 70 years of expert and user experience to produce the version in use today.
Since 2003 we have seen a decline in maternal death in the UK, however, in recent years this has plateaued. The role of ambulance services in preventing maternal death has been recognised, therefore it is important that research is undertaken to ensure we manage this patient group correctly, starting with the telephone triage. This study aims to provide evidence to inform Protocol 24.
Data recorded at the time of the emergency call and on the patient’s ambulance record will be linked with hospital data about the mother and child from the Hospital Episode Statistics to enable evaluation of how accurately maternity emergencies are recognised using MPDS. Data will be collected retrospectively.
In addition, EMDs and EMD Managers will be invited to participate in one of four focus groups to explore the perspectives and experiences of EMDs using MPDS. Feedback on MPDS usability, limitations and suggested improvements will be used to inform online questionnaires that will later be sent to both EMDs and ambulance clinicians to allow us to capture other useful information from the user perspective.
All questionnaire and focus group participants will be staff working at the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS).
Funding has been provided by The International Academy of Emergency Dispatch.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/2027
Date of REC Opinion
28 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion