Matt Reed

Huge thanks to @bhf supporters for supporting the @theaspiredstudy, a clinical trial to test whether applying a new heart monitoring patch to patients with unexplained fainting can improve the detection of serious heart rhythm problems m.youtube.com/watch?v=tCswAO…

#Feb2026 #NewResearch 📌 Understanding corridor and escalation area care in 165 UK emergency departments: a multicentre cross-sectional snapshot study 🔗 emj.bmj.com/content/early/… We’re pleased to share a landmark multicentre study led by the RCEM Trainee Emergency Research Network (TERN) that provides the most comprehensive national snapshot to date of escalation area and corridor care across UK emergency departments. 📊 Key outcomes from this national study: • Across 165 UK type 1 EDs, 10 042 patients (17.7%) were receiving care in escalation areas — spaces outside the usual clinical footprint such as corridors, waiting rooms, repurposed clinical areas and doubled-up cubicles — at five snapshot points in March 2025. • The proportion of patients in escalation areas ranged over time from ~15.5% to over 21%, with the highest use at the end of a clinical night shift. • Non-clinical spaces (including corridors and waiting rooms) consistently made up the majority of escalation area care, representing over half of the patients in these settings. • ED occupancy pressures were stark: occupancy ranged from about 1.0 to 2.4 patients per cubicle, and up to 26% of sites had no resuscitation cubicles available at certain snapshots — raising patient safety concerns. • Patients awaiting an inpatient bed consistently outnumbered those in escalation areas, highlighting flow and discharge challenges as central contributors to corridor care. • Both paediatric patients and those with mental health presentations were found to be receiving care in escalation areas across all snapshots, despite national guidance recommending against it. • The proportion of patients in escalation care varied regionally, with the highest rates observed in Northern Ireland and lower rates in parts of south-west England. 📌 Why this matters: This study demonstrates that escalation area care, including corridor care, is not an occasional exception but a routine part of emergency practice across much of the UK, despite national guidance stating it should be avoided. Providing safe, high-quality care in spaces not designed for clinical observation or treatment presents significant challenges for patient dignity, monitoring and staff workflow. The findings underscore the urgent need for system-level solutions focused on improving patient flow, reducing inpatient boarding times and expanding capacity. 👉 Read the full article for detailed methodology, outcomes and suggestions for future research — and join the conversation on how we can translate this evidence into better emergency care practice. #EmergencyMedicine #EMJ #HealthcareResearch #PatientSafety #QualityImprovement #NHS @RCollEM @richardbody @drsarahedwards

Future research is needed on this topic - diagnostic strategies must be tested in low (e.g. ADD-RS=0) and intermediate (e.g. ADD-RS=1) prevalence ED populations.

The recent ACEP clinical policy on acute aortic syndrome (AAS) concludes that clinicians could use an ADD-RS of less than or equal to 1 in conjunction with D-dimer <500 ng/mL fibrinogen-equivalent units to identify patients with very low risk of AAS who do not require imaging

Our @AnnalsofEM letter agrees that ADD-RS + D-dimer may safely rule out AAS in selected patients - but our DAShED data suggest widespread use (e.g. in those with an ADD-RS of zero) could drive a 2–6× rise in CT scanning authors.elsevier.com/c/1mTh4ib7EP~n8

@GMB @lornashaddick A superficial and incorrect take. The current crisis in emergency care is caused by the inability to move patients out of the ED as too many bed cuts. The whole ‘minor conditions’ story is a smokescreen for the political failure over 20y to plan for an ageing population.

Become our next CPD director! Are you passionate about shaping professional development in Emergency Medicine? We’re looking for a dynamic leader to chair our Educational Resources Committee and drive our CPD strategy. Click here to view what's involved: rcem.ac.uk/wp-content/upl… This is an honorary role with expenses covered. Open to all current College members with relevant experience. Don't miss out, apply by 19 January 2026.

High-sensitivity troponin has transformed MI detection, but front-door loading and unselective testing risk overdiagnosis & missed pathology. Our @EJ_EmergencyMed viewpoint article out today argues for reclaiming clinical reasoning in ED chest pain care journals.lww.com/euro-emergency…

Just seen this Open Call for speakers for the YEMD @EusemY track for EUSEM2026 Congress, taking place from Sep 25-28, 2026, in Paris, France. Application Deadline: 4 January 2026; Apply here: forms.gle/3LZm136yj33Gmh…; Click here to find out further details bit.ly/44uCG4G

Delighted to see UNCORKED, the latest new study from the @RCollEM Trainee Emergency Research Network (@ternfellow) which has been published in the @EmergencyMedBMJ

Current @RCollEM research opportunities: -TERN Fellow (deadline 16 Jan 26) -PhD Fellow (30 Jan 26) -RCEM/NIHR Ass Prof (3 Feb 26) -Student essay prizes (13 March 26) -Spring 26 research grants (6 April 26) -RCEM-Marie Curie research grants (6 April 26) rcem.ac.uk/research-oppor…

Additionally, winners from both categories will be invited to present their work at this event. RCEM membership is not a requirement for participation.

Great prizes on offer; Each category winner will receive £500, a one-year RCEM membership, and coverage of reasonable travel, accommodation and registration costs for the 2027 RCEM conference.

@RCollEM Undergraduate Research & Quality Improvement Essay Prizes are now launched; deadline 5pm Friday 13th March 2026. Are you an undergraduate student, either medical or non-medical, enrolled at a recognised teaching institution in the UK or Ireland; rcem.ac.uk/research-oppor…

This is a fantastic funding opportunity for innovative research that brings meaningful improvements to the care of patients presenting to EDs at the end of life

🚨 Emergency Medicine Journal Club: Serratus block for rib fracture pain? Join us for a discussion of the SABRE study, chaired by Dr. Richard Austin 📷 25th November, 2pm-3pm 📷 Register: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

@RCollEM @ternfellow New link here: rcem.ac.uk/research-oppor…

@RCollEM is launching the 5th round of the @ternfellow TERN Fellowship scheme providing 50% of the applicant’s salary per year for 2 years. Applications are invited from EM trainees at ≥ST3 level or equivalent. Read more and find our how to apply here rcem.ac.uk/research-award…

@RCollEM has today launched The RCEM/NIHR Research Design Network Associate Professor scheme 📅Deadline: 5pm Tuesday 3rd February 2026 📩To Apply: rcem.ac.uk/research-oppor… under Associate Professor Scheme. Any queries please contact researchadmin@rcem.ac.uk

The Same day and urgent care priority setting exercise in association with the @LindAlliance is asking about future research priorities related to the same day and urgent care workforce. Links to all the ways to take part is here: surgeworkforce.uk/priority-setti…

Great poster and oral abstract prizes up for grabs for the 2026 #RCEMAnnualConference. Successful presenters will also receive a 20% registration discount. Submission deadline is Tuesday 28 October 2025 at 12:00 GMT. Submit your abstract here: rcem.ac.uk/flagship/abstr…