Acute Chest Triage Rapid Intervention Guided by Home Care or Telecare (ACTRIGHT)
Contact - Prof. Frances Mair, Professor of Primary Care Research, General Practice and Primary Care, Division of community Based Sciences, 1 Horselethill road, Glasgow G12 9LX Email: fm46c@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Academic Lead(s)
Prof Frances Mair
Researchers
- Mrs Pauline Goldstein
- Dr. Rob Angus
- Mrs Jane O'Connor
Project Status
Ongoing
Collaborating Institutions
- MPCRDC
- University of Liverpool
- University of Manchester
- Aintree University Hospital NHS Trust
- Royal and Broadgreen University NHS Trust
- South Sefton PCT
Funding
NHS modernisation fund, Astra Zeneca, MPCRDC
Aim
- To conduct a prospective RCT to compare home care by nurses (provided face to face) with telecare by nurses for the treatment of acute exacerbations in patients with COPD
- To perform an economic evaluation alongside the clinical trial in order to compare costs and benefits associated with each arm of the trial
- To explore patient and professional attitudes to the use of telemedicine
Method
An intervention team of specialist nurses, supported by a respiratory medical tea, intercepts patients warranting admission with exacerbation of COPD. Following a thorough clinical assessment the patients' suitability is determined for care at home. Once a patient is identified and consents to study participation they are randomised to either home telecare or face to face nurse home visits. Patients randomised to wither arm of the trial receive a medication package, which includes antibiotics, steroids and nebulised bronchodilators and social service report, if required, until the patient is stable.
All patients presenting to the A and E departments of Aintree University Hospital, Royal Liverpool Hospital and appropriate early discharge patients were entered into the trial providing informed consent was obtained.
Results
Data from the trial is currently being analysed.