Eligibility
Target patients
- Patients presenting to ED, EAU and AAU age 18 years with suspected infection or Temp 38°C and above
Local study conflicts
Inclusion Criteria:
- Suspected infection AND/OR a fever of 38 ℃ or above
- Age 18 or over
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients already receiving intravenous antibiotics
- Currently receiving myeloablative chemotherapy
- Patients with solid-organ transplantation, allogeneic bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
If the patient is eligible:
- Gain verbal agreement in principle before proceeding. Explain:
- Inform the patient they may be eligible for a research study
- Taking part in research is likely to improve the quality of their care
- Risks are carefully controlled - research is safe
- Explain the uncertainty that exists with respect to treatment of their condition
- If they change their mind they can withdraw their participation at any point
Step-by-Step Guide to Recruitment:
In the working hours of the research team:
- Monday-Friday 07:30 – 18:30
- Contact the EMROx research team on:
Mobile 0776818242
Tel 01865 222003
Bleep 6680
Out of hours and weekends:
- Patients are not being recruited outside of the research teams working hours
Steps to support the research team
- Inform the research team of patients coming in with infection
- Clinical nurses will collect routine clinical blood samples including a blood gas
- After running the blood gas test, keep the residual blood sample tube, label it with patient a sticker and note on it the time blood was drawn
- Research Nurses will provide the potential participants with verbal and written information about the study after the blood samples have been taken
- Research team will collect the study samples and run the test
- Request for paired Procalcitonin in the laboratory