Improvements in National Code Red transfusion practice in Scotland after adoption of recommendations from the Scottish National Code Red 2015 review.

Aims: The Scottish Transfusion and Laboratory Support in Trauma Group (TLSTG) previously reviewed all National Code Red activations between June 1st 2013 and October 31st 2015, generating a number of recommendations to be adopted to optimise the transfusion support given to patients following major trauma in Scotland. A repeat National survey was undertaken for all patients for whom Code Red was activated between 1st November 2015 and 31st December 2017.

Methods: A clinical and transfusion lead for each centre entered anonymised data onto a secure electronic database (REDCap).

Testing of the 'Always Events' approach to improve the patient experience in the emergency department.

Maintaining quality of care and meeting patient expectations in the face of rising demand within emergency departments (ED) is a significant challenge for clinicians. This study tested the Always Events (AE) approach as a means to identify AE's relevance to patient care in the ED and act on this to address patient concerns. The project team looked to identify aspects of care patients would like to see improved within the minor injuries stream (MIS).

Experience of implementing a National pre-hospital Code Red bleeding protocol in Scotland.

Introduction: The Scottish Transfusion and Laboratory Support in Trauma Group (TLSTG) have introduced a unified National pre-hospital Code Red protocol. This paper reports the results of a study aiming to establish whether current pre-hospital Code Red activation criteria for trauma patients successfully predict need for in hospital transfusion or haemorrhagic death, the current admission coagulation profile and Concentrated Red Cell (CRC): Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) ratio being used, and whether use of the protocol leads to increased blood component discards?

Methods: Prospective cohort study. Clinical and transfusion leads for each of Scotland's pre-hospital services and their receiving hospitals agreed to enter data into the study for all trauma patients for whom a pre-hospital Code Red was activated.

The UK helicopter ambulance tasking study.

Introduction: Helicopter ambulances are a scarce and expensive resource and their use carries significant risk for crew and patients.

Aims: To establish and compare the tasking criteria, dispatch arrangements and crew configuration for all helicopter ambulance services in the United Kingdom.

Methods: Structured telephone interview of all helicopter ambulance services in the United Kingdom.