PARAMEDICS in the region are taking part in a clinical trial which could result in some patients with heart complaints being treated at home rather than taken to hospital.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) is working with three other ambulance services in the trial titled PRESTO – the Pre-hospital Evaluation of Sensitive Troponin – as part of the NHS’ aim to find new ways of delivering healthcare more efficiently without the need for hospital treatment.
Consultant paramedic Matt Ward said: “Chest pain is the second most common reason why people call 999. However, it doesn’t always mean the patient is having a heart attack – the symptoms are often similar for non-cardiac conditions.
“What this trial is aiming to do is to allow paramedics to carry out a test at scene which would allow them to know which are which. If the research is positive it could result in ambulance staff being able to provide reassurance much sooner to patients with chest pain while also reducing the number of patients ambulance crews take to A&E departments.”
For patients willing to take part, they will get exactly the same treatment as they do now except for the paramedic taking a small vial of blood for the on scene test.
The trial will run in Coventry and Warwickshire and WMAS will work with Warwick Hospital and University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire.
WMAS research paramedic Imogen Gunson added: “If the trial is successful it could be possible to provide all ambulances with a portable blood testing device which would allow ambulance staff to run these important tests without patients having to be taken to the hospital.
“The impact would be huge – clinicians would be able to make more informed decisions about the best patient care with more in-depth tests at the patient’s side at scene.
“As well as providing those patients with non-cardiac related chest pain with reassurance, it would mean those that are having acute coronary problems would receive treatment more quickly resulting in better treatment and potentially saving lives.”
