The BCAE Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Best Care for Abdominal Emergencies - The BCAE Study. A retrospective single, centre cohort study of patients with intestinal emergencies.
IRAS ID
282238
Contact name
Simon K C Toh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
Intestinal emergencies are common and potentially life-threatening. Patients frequently need emergency abdominal surgery, involving a large cut to access the abdomen called a laparotomy. Emergency laparotomy has a high (10%+) risk of death. In recent years, a national audit has set high standards of care, leading to better outcomes. Recently, keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) instead of laparotomy has been introduced and early data from Portsmouth Hospital suggests patients may do better with this approach.
For various reasons, 1 in 3 patients admitted with an intestinal emergency do NOT have a laparotomy, and their risk of death may be 5 times higher. This problem originates from a lack of information on other treatments and their risks. Without this information, it is difficult for surgeons to advise patients and relatives on the merits of other treatments compared to laparotomy. As a result, these patients do not routinely receive the same quality of care.
This study will use electronic hospital records to identify all patients admitted with an abdominal emergency over a 6-year period. This data will be analysed by a health modelling team looking at factors that could predict the best care for these patients. Our aim is to find the best care for all patients with an abdominal emergency by:
1. understanding the outcomes for all patients admitted with an intestinal emergency including those who do NOT have surgery, and
2. identifying patient and admission characteristics of the 4 groups of patients (laparotomy, laparoscopy, non- surgical treatments, and end of life care), in order for surgeons to be better informed when discussing the choices and risks with their patients.
This will inform the creation of clear, evidence-based patient information and the development of care pathways that we will share and publish.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0380
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion