EVADE RESULTS ARE IN!
The results and full main paper from the EVADE trial have now been published in the annals of emergency medicine here.
The EVADE trial was a homegrown study that we ran trust-wide, funded by the National Institute for Health Research, evaluating the impact of the valsalva-assist device (VAD) as standard care on treating patients with supraventricular tachycardia. We aimed to determine whether the availability of the device reduced the percentage of patients conveyed to hospital.
As you might recall, we used a stepped wedge design for this study, meaning that access to the device was given in phases, with 25% of ambulances stations randomly allocated access to the device in each phase, until all stations were using it as standard care, with no training required.
Whilst there were some missed opportunities to use the device, whether that be because it wasn’t available on scene when needed, was forgotten about or crews didn’t engage with the study, we recruited very successfully trust wide and exceeded our target of 800 patients which was great. Any non-compliance around using the device will be explored in later qualitative work around barriers to engagement, and we always welcome your feedback – EVADE@swast.nhs.uk
The results are all laid out in the publication, but in conclusion, the availability of the VAD did not reduce conveyance to hospital in this study. We cannot rule out potential benefits in different settings but did not find sufficient evidence to support ongoing routine device availability in this ambulance service.
A huge thank you to all our frontline crews and their engagement that made this study possible. Research is fundamental to improving patient care, staff experience and organisational efficiency. You helped us develop, deliver and conclude this important, evidence-generating study.