Table 1PICO characteristics of review question

PopulationAdults and young people (16 years and over) with a suspected AME.
Intervention(s)Independent paramedic decision making (transport to ED or advice at scene only):
  • Standard paramedics
  • Advanced paramedics with additional post registration training (for example, paramedic practitioner or emergency care practitioner).
Comparison(s)Remote expert-supported paramedic decision making including:
  • Telephone consultations
  • Telemedicine systems.
Outcomes
  • Number of patients seeking further contacts after initial assessment by paramedic (GP, 999, ED, 111) OR Re-contact rates within 72 hours (CRITICAL)
  • Quality of life (CRITICAL)
  • Mortality (CRITICAL)
  • Conveyance (carriage) rates (CRITICAL)
  • Total avoidable adverse events as reported by the study (CRITICAL)
  • Patient satisfaction (CRITICAL)
  • Number of hospital admissions (IMPORTANT)
  • Staff satisfaction (IMPORTANT)
Study design
  • Systematic reviews (SRs) of RCTs, RCTs, observational studies only to be included if no relevant SRs or RCTs are identified.

From: Chapter 4, Paramedic remote support

Cover of Emergency and acute medical care in over 16s: service delivery and organisation
Emergency and acute medical care in over 16s: service delivery and organisation.
NICE Guideline, No. 94.
National Guideline Centre (UK).
Copyright © NICE 2018.

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