The AcCREDiT 2 Study
The AcCREDiT 2 study helps doctors understand and quickly treat serious breathing issues, such as pneumonia or sudden worsening of conditions like COPD. These problems often land people in the hospital. The study explores new, faster ways to find out what's causing these issues – whether it's bacteria, viruses, or something else. This is important because knowing the cause helps doctors choose the right medicine, like antibiotics, quicker, avoiding unnecessary treatments. Researchers also want to find better ways to get permission from patients, especially when they're very unwell, to take part in studies that can improve care for everyone with breathing difficulties.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When you have a serious breathing problem, like pneumonia or a sudden worsening of a long-term lung condition (called an exacerbation), it can be really scary. Often, you might need to go to the hospital. Doctors need to find out quickly what's causing these problems so they can give you the right treatment. Sometimes, it's caused by bacteria, viruses, or other germs. But sometimes, there's no infection, even though the symptoms feel similar.
Currently, it can take days to get test results back from the lab to identify what's making you sick. This means doctors sometimes have to start treatment, like antibiotics, before they know for sure if it will help. While antibiotics are vital for bacterial infections, using them when they're not needed can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance, making them less effective for future infections. This study wants to find out if newer, faster tests can help doctors make better decisions about your treatment much sooner.
This study, called AcCREDiT 2, is a 'feasibility study'. This means it's a smaller, early-stage study to check if new ways of doing things work well before trying them in a much larger group of people. Researchers will collect information and samples (like blood or spit) from patients who come to the hospital with breathing difficulties. They will compare new, quick tests with the standard tests to see how well they identify infections. No new treatments or medicines will be given as part of this study; it's all about improving how we diagnose problems.
Key takeaways
- This study aims to find faster ways to diagnose serious breathing problems.
- It could help doctors choose the right treatment quicker, especially for infections.
- Your routine medical care won't be changed by taking part.
- The study collects usual samples (like blood or phlegm) and information.
- It’s a small, initial study to test how well new diagnostic methods work.
- Participating helps improve future care for people with breathing difficulties.
Who may be eligible?
You might be able to take part in this study if you are 18 years old or older and come to the hospital with what doctors think is a lung infection or a flare-up of a long-term lung condition.
Also, a breathing sample needs to be available, meaning you can either cough up sputum (phlegm), or if you're in intensive care, your doctors are already planning on taking a fluid sample from your lungs. You should also be scheduled to receive either an anti-infection treatment (like an antibiotic) or a strong anti-inflammatory medicine (like steroids).
However, you wouldn't be able to join if your doctor believes your breathing problems are clearly due to something else, like a blood clot in your lung or heart failure. You also wouldn't be eligible if there's a strong suspicion of a rare, high-risk infection like tuberculosis.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Are you in hospital with a suspected lung infection or flare-up of a lung condition?
- Can you provide a breathing sample (like sputum) or are doctors already planning to take one?
- Are you expected to receive anti-infection or anti-inflammatory medicines?
- Are your doctors sure your breathing problems aren't caused by something like heart failure or a blood clot?
This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, no new medicines will be given to you, and your regular care won't change. The researchers will simply collect information about your condition and some samples, like blood, sputum (phlegm), or stool (poo). These samples would be taken as part of your routine care, but the researchers would use them to compare new diagnostic tests with traditional lab tests. They will also collect details about your symptoms and treatment. There won't be any extra visits or follow-up appointments solely for this study, as it works alongside your standard hospital care. The total duration of your involvement would be during your hospital stay for this acute breathing event.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchester, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is COPD?
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which is a common lung disease that causes breathing difficulties.
What is an 'exacerbation'?
An exacerbation is a sudden worsening of symptoms of a long-term health condition, like a flare-up of your breathing problems.
Will my treatment change if I join?
No, your medical treatment will not change. This study is about improving how we diagnose conditions, not about changing existing treatments.
What kind of samples will be collected?
Researchers might collect samples like blood, sputum (phlegm), or stool (poo). These would generally be samples that would be taken as part of your normal hospital care.
What does a 'feasibility study' mean?
It's a smaller study designed to see if certain ideas or methods work well before they are used in a much bigger, more widespread study.
How to find out more
Luke Ward
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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