Training paramedics in focussed echo in life support – paramedics can learn some new tricks

13 Feb 2015

The PUCA team have published the first results of our study looking at the feasibility and utility of paramedic ultrasound scanning during OHCA. An article in this edition of the European Journal of Emergency Medicine shows our finding that paramedic can be successfully taught to obtain good views using a focussed ultrasound technique, and that these skills and associated technical knowledge are retained over time.

Booth KL, Reed MJ, Brady S, Cranfield KR, Kishen R, Letham K, et al. Training paramedics in focussed echo in life support. European Journal of Emergency Medicine 2015.


Scottish Cardiac Arrest Symposium March 27th, 2015

19 Jan 2015

How do we build a system that saves lives? This is the theme for the Scottish Cardiac Arrest Symposium 2015 at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on March 27th.

To examine this theme we have invited speakers from around the globe who have demonstrated excellence in optimising the Chain of Survival, responding to the challenges of resuscitating OHCA and changing the systems that get in the way. (more…)


Sandpiper WILDCAT – it’s coming…

24 Nov 2014

The Sandpiper Trust funded project to implement a regional strategy for improving outcomes after OHCA is on it’s way.


Starting the 3RU Glasgow conversation

15 Oct 2014

Steven Short and Gareth Clegg met with a group of staff from the Scottish Ambulance Service, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and Red Cross met at the Beardmore Conference Centre today for an initial scoping meeting at the ‘soft launch’ of the 3RU Glasgow project.

Proceedings were opened by the Chairman of the SAS board, David Garbutt followed by an introduction from Medical Director Jim Ward. Gareth Clegg laid out the journey that RRG has travelled in reaching current levels of performance in the South East of the country, and outlined the shape of the challenge ahead. Daniel Rankin – SAS General Manager for West Central – then gave some local perspective. Small groups discussed approaches to moving the project forward.

This meeting marks the beginning of a long anticipated conversation between stakeholders aimed at producing a local solution to the problem of OHCA in Glasgow.

The Glasgow 3RU may have a different skin and bones to the Edinburgh model (it will certainly have a different accent) – but there will be a strong family resemblance – the DNA will be the same.


‘The Shocking Truth’ — Kirsty Mitchell presents a top scoring abstract at CEM 2014 Exeter

10 Sep 2014

Dr Kirsty Mitchell has been auditing the defibrillator downloads from OHCA in Edinburgh to look at compliance with ALS guidelines for time between defibrillation attempts. Out of the 70 cases she analysed, the mean time between shocks was over 3 min with only 26% of intervals between shocks compliant with ALS guidelines, the rest were shorter or longer than recommended. Getting everything done right at the right time during prehospital resuscitation requires high level team performance, skilled leadership and keen situational awareness. If this finding is a symptom that these elements need optimisation, what is the solution..?

Kirsty’s abstract was one of the top scoring submissions to the College of Emergency Medicine  Annual Scientific Conference 2104 and she presented her findings in Exeter today.