ED-PATCH Tool for Emergency Department Discharge

(ED-PATCH Trial)

Enrolling by invitation at 1 trial location

Overseen By ED-PATCH Program Manager

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: IWK Health Centre

Disqualifiers: Children under 14, Hospital admission, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new tool, ED-PATCH, which assists patients and their caregivers in managing information during an emergency room visit using a smartphone or tablet. The trial aims to evaluate the tool's effectiveness in Canadian emergency departments and determine its optimal use. Researchers will compare patient experiences before and after the tool's introduction to assess whether it lowers stress and reduces the need for return visits to the ER. Individuals who have visited the ER, are being discharged, and can read English or French may be suitable participants. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for patients to contribute to innovative solutions that could enhance emergency room experiences for many.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the ED-PATCH tool is safe for use in emergency department settings?

In a previous study, patients used the ED-PATCH tool to create summaries of their emergency room visits. Research has shown that this tool is safe for use. Accessible on a smartphone or tablet, it does not involve medication or medical procedures.

No reports indicated problems caused by using ED-PATCH, suggesting that people generally handle it well. By organizing information, it helps patients understand their care without causing physical side effects.

Overall, ED-PATCH is considered safe for patients in emergency room settings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the ED-PATCH tool because it promises to enhance how patients receive discharge information from emergency departments. Unlike traditional methods, which often rely on verbal instructions or printed materials, ED-PATCH aims to streamline and possibly digitize the discharge process, making it more efficient and easier for patients to understand and follow. This could lead to better patient outcomes, as clear and accessible discharge instructions are crucial for recovery and preventing unnecessary returns to the hospital. The hope is that this tool will improve patient satisfaction and adherence to post-discharge care plans.

What evidence suggests that the ED-PATCH tool is effective for emergency department discharge?

Research has shown that tools like ED-PATCH can help patients better understand and remember their emergency room visits. In this trial, the Post-Implementation arm will use ED-PATCH, enabling patients to use a smartphone or tablet to record their symptoms, tests, and treatment plans during their visit. A healthcare provider checks this information for accuracy before emailing it to the patient. Studies have found that clear communication upon hospital discharge can reduce the need for return visits and increase patient satisfaction. By helping patients track their medical details, ED-PATCH aims to enhance their overall care experience and reduce stress and confusion about their treatment. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English or French-speaking individuals aged 14 and older who are discharged from the emergency department (ED) in Canada, have a CTAS score of 2-5, and can consent. It's also for caregivers of patients under 14. People not seeking care at participating sites or unable to use the ED-PATCH tool are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

I have given my permission for treatment after understanding the risks.

My emergency care need is not immediate but requires attention.

I am seeking emergency care for myself or someone else at a participating site.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Pre-Implementation

Patients receive usual discharge communication before ED-PATCH is implemented

18 months

Post-Implementation

ED-PATCH is implemented and patients use the tool during their ED visit

18 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as ED readmissions and patient-reported outcomes

Up to 30 days post-discharge

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• ED-PATCH

Trial Overview The study tests the ED-PATCH tool, an electronic system helping patients manage their emergency visit information via smartphone or tablet. The research will see if it improves understanding of care received, reduces return visits to the ED, and affects stress levels and health status.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Post-Implementation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm of the study will occur after ED-PATCH has been implemented.

Group II: Pre-Implementation Active Control 1 Intervention

This arm of the study will occur before ED-PATCH has been implemented. Patients will receive usual discharge communication.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

IWK Health Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

131

Recruited

112,000+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-emergencies-10-2024-811d9

ED-PATCH Tool for Emergency Department Discharge The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effectiveness and implementation of the Emergency Department Patient-Activated Transition to Care at Home ...

2. iwkhealth.ca iwkhealth.ca/sites/default/files/2024-06/ED-PATCH%20At%20a%20Glance.pdf

ED-PATCH At a Glance ED-PATCH is a discharge tool used by patients to record information from their ED visit, including diagnosis, treatments, and treatment plans.

3. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2813806

Medical Urgency Classification of Discharge Diagnoses ... Overall, about 38.5% and 53.9% of all ED visits were classified with 100% and 75% probabilities, respectively, as injury related, emergency care ...

4. archambaultlab.ca archambaultlab.ca/en/projects-in-collaboration/ed-patch/

ED-PATCH The patient-generated discharge summary is then available to be printed in the ED or sent electronically to the patient or caregiver to be added to their own ...

5. bmcemergmed.biomedcentral.com bmcemergmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12873-024-01028-4

Non-emergency department (ED) interventions to reduce ED ... The purpose of this scoping review was to identify, summarize, and categorize the various types of non-ED-based interventions designed to reduce unnecessary ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6407819/

Comparing the Outcomes of Reporting and Trigger Tool ... This study compared the ability of trigger tool and reporting methods to capture adverse events in the ED and investigated the characteristics of the adverse ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12049976/

Improvement in safety measures to reduce ED returns - PMC A quality improvement initiative was implemented to reduce 50% of the return visits from the baseline proportion of return visits by critical/deceased adult ...

8. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2792498

Association of a Callback Program With Emergency ... A telephone call to patients 2 days after discharge from the ED was associated with decreased ED use at 7 days after the index visit.