CompletedObservational

Understanding corridor care in UK emergency departments

When UK emergency departments get very busy, patients sometimes receive care in areas not usually meant for it, like corridors. These are called 'escalation areas'. This study wants to find out exactly how often this happens, who these patients are, and whether it affects their health in the long run. By gathering this information, researchers hope to show the true extent of overcrowding in emergency departments. This knowledge can then be used to help make decisions about hospital resources and improve how care is given in these busy spaces. Your usual care won't change if you're part of this study, as it only involves collecting information already recorded about your visit.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

North Bristol NHS Trust

Enrolment target

10,000

Start

03 Mar 2025

Estimated completion

16 Mar 2025

UK Emergency Department use of escalation areas

What is this study about?

Imagine you go to a hospital emergency department (A&E) and it's incredibly busy. Sometimes, when there aren't enough beds or rooms, patients might be looked after in places you wouldn't expect, like a hallway or another area that's not normally used for patient care. These are called 'escalation areas'. Doctors and staff always do their best, but it's not ideal.

This study is trying to get a clear picture of exactly how often this happens across emergency departments in the UK. They want to understand how many people are cared for in these 'escalation areas', who these patients are (for example, are they young, old, in for a minor injury or major illness?), and what impact this might have on their recovery and overall health. Right now, we don't have enough clear information about this situation.

The information gathered from this study will be really helpful. It will show the scale of the problem of overcrowding in emergency departments, which can then guide discussions about how to best use hospital resources and improve patient care, especially during busy times. It will also lay the groundwork for future research to see if being in an 'escalation area' affects how patients get better.

Key takeaways

This study aims to understand patient care in busy emergency departments.
It focuses on 'escalation areas' like corridors, used when departments are full.
No changes to your treatment or care if you're part of the study.
Information from your routine medical records will be used.
The study hopes to improve future emergency care and hospital planning.

Who may be eligible?

You might be included in this study if you visit an emergency department in the UK and spend some time in one of these 'escalation areas' – places not typically used for patient care unless the department is extremely busy. It's about understanding how care happens when the department is stretched beyond its usual space.

The study also includes patients who are admitted to the hospital after their emergency department visit, even if they don't spend time in an 'escalation area'. This helps the researchers compare experiences and gather a complete picture.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Did you visit a UK emergency department?
Did you spend time in an 'escalation area' during your visit?
Or were you admitted to the hospital after your emergency department visit?
Are you comfortable with your routine medical records being used for research?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you're part of this study, nothing about your medical care will change. You won't have any extra tests, appointments, or treatments. Doctors and nurses will continue to look after you exactly as they would normally. The study simply involves collecting information that is already written down as part of your routine medical records during your emergency department visit. This means there are no extra steps for you, and it won't affect the time you spend in the department.

Potential risks and benefits

There's no direct personal health benefit for you from taking part in this study. However, the information gathered could help improve emergency care for everyone in the future, including yourself or your loved ones, by informing decisions about how hospitals manage busy periods and use their spaces. Because the study only collects information already recorded during your normal care and doesn't change your treatment, there are no additional health risks to you. There are very small risks related to your privacy, but the researchers have strict rules in place to protect your information and keep it confidential. You can ask for your information to be removed from the study at any time.

Locations (3)

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Keighley, United Kingdom
The Grange University Hospital
Approximate
Cwmbran, United Kingdom
Southmead Hospital
Approximate
Bristol, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is an 'escalation area' in a hospital?

It's a part of the hospital, like a corridor or a converted room, that's used to care for patients when the emergency department is very full and needs more space.

Will my treatment change if I'm in this study?

No, your medical care and treatment will be exactly the same as they would be normally. The study only uses information that's already part of your routine medical notes.

Who is running this study?

This study is sponsored by North Bristol NHS Trust and led by the UK Royal College of Emergency Medicine, with a main researcher from the University of Bristol.

Why is this study important?

It helps us understand how many people are cared for in these busy 'escalation areas' and can lead to better decisions about hospital resources and improved emergency care for all.

When is the study happening?

The study runs from March 2024 to May 2025.

How to find out more

Tom Roberts

tom.roberts@bristol.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.