Rapid Analgesia for Prehospital Hip Disruption (RAPID)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Rapid Analgesia for Prehospital Hip Disruption (RAPID): a feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
183909
Contact name
Jenna Bulger
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN60065373
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Background
Transporting a patient with a broken hip can cause high levels of pain and distress. It has been found that patients attended by emergency ambulance paramedics following a 999 call for hip fracture may not receive adequate pain relief, and the usual analgesia given may cause side effects that affect patients’ general health and recovery. Fascio Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) is a procedure routinely undertaken by doctors and nurses in the emergency department for patients with hip fracture but has not been fully tested for use by paramedics at the scene of 999 calls. The procedure involves injection of local anaesthetic into the hip area.Aim of the research
In this small study we aim to find out whether FICB carried out by paramedics at the scene of 999 emergencies is feasible, safe and acceptable so that we can make a decision about whether we should proceed to a full randomised controlled trial that can answer questions about whether the procedure is effective for patients and worthwhile for the NHS.Methods
In this feasibility study we will recruit approximately 10 paramedics in the Swansea area. Paramedics will be trained to carry out the FICB procedure on patients they attend with hip fracture. Eligible patients will be randomly allocated to FICB or usual care using sealed envelopes on ambulances. We will follow up patients to assess accuracy of paramedic diagnosis, acceptability to patients and paramedics, compliance of paramedics and also measures of pain, side effects, time in hospital and quality of life in order to plan a full trial if appropriate.Outputs
At the end of this study we will make a recommendation about whether a full randomised controlled trial of FICB by paramedics for hip fracture is warranted.If so, we will produce a proposal for research funding in order to take the work forward.REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
15/WA/0439
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion