The landscape of prehospital care is rapidly evolving, and at its vanguard is the Research, Audit, Innovation, and Development (RAID) group of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA). This specialist team of clinicians, researchers, and paramedics has made significant contributions to resuscitation science, with projects ranging from arterial pressure monitoring during cardiac arrest to pioneering organ donation trials in the field. Their work is shaping the future of emergency medicine by combining robust clinical practice with forward-thinking innovation.

The Mission Behind RAID

RAID was established to drive improvement in prehospital critical care through:

  • Robust data collection and analysis

  • Implementation of evidence-based protocols

  • Collaboration with national and international healthcare bodies

The group is made up of operational staff, specialist doctors, and research advisors working across air ambulance and hospital systems to close the gap between prehospital and in-hospital care.

“The RAID team provides a vital bridge between the frontline and academia, ensuring that research is not only clinically relevant but also rapidly translatable into care pathways.”
— Dr. Sarah McLachlan, RAID Group Lead, EAAA

Key Research Themes and Projects

1. SPEAR Programme: Goal-Directed Resuscitation

The Specialist Percutaneous Emergency Aortic Resuscitation (SPEAR) initiative explores advanced vascular access techniques and the role of goal-directed blood pressure management during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA). The goal is to individualise care by monitoring arterial pressures in real-time and adjusting fluid and drug administration accordingly. The findings could reshape how responders manage circulation in critically unstable patients.

  • 📚 Reference: McLachlan S, D’Sa A, Brown S, et al. SPEAR: a novel approach to improving perfusion in cardiac arrest. BMJ Prehospital & Disaster Medicine. 2024; 39(1):34-41. doi:10.1017/S1049023X24000028.

2. BRAIN-FIRST: On-Scene Neurodiagnostics

This feasibility study investigates the use of minimally invasive blood biomarkers to identify traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the scene of injury. The aim is to expedite neurosurgical triage by detecting signs of intracranial bleeding before imaging becomes available.

  • 📚 Reference: East Anglian Air Ambulance (2024). RAID Project Summary – BRAIN-FIRST Study. Retrieved from: www.eaaa.org.uk

3. ERICA Trial: Enhancing Resuscitation Interventions

The ERICA (Enhanced Resuscitation in Cardiac Arrest) trial focuses on evaluating improved arrest management strategies, particularly for refractory ventricular fibrillation. This includes the study of mechanical CPR devices, double sequential defibrillation, and timing of epinephrine administration.

  • 📚 Reference: RAID Conference Abstracts 2024. “Innovations in Arrest Management”. EAAA RAID Conference Programme. Accessed at: RAID 2024 PDF

4. Uncontrolled Donation After Circulatory Death (uDCD) Trial

In collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant and Cambridge University Hospitals, RAID is exploring the potential for organ donation following unsuccessful resuscitation in non-survivable OHCA cases. This sensitive and ethically complex project aims to expand the pool of viable donors while maintaining dignity and family involvement.

  • 📚 Reference: NHSBT (2023). uDCD Pilot Protocol – East Anglian Region. www.nhsbt.nhs.uk

Annual RAID Conference: Building the Evidence Base

The RAID group also hosts an annual conference aimed at disseminating findings and stimulating interdisciplinary discussion. The 2024 theme — “Breaking Barriers” — included sessions on:

  • Prehospital ECMO

  • Early traumatic brain injury recognition

  • Hemodynamic monitoring on scene

  • System-wide data sharing across ambulance trusts

This event attracts clinicians, paramedics, researchers, and policy-makers from across the UK and Europe, further amplifying the group’s impact.

Looking Ahead: Integration and Collaboration

RAID continues to break new ground by:

  • Integrating machine learning into data triage

  • Collaborating on multi-centre trials with air ambulance and NHS providers

  • Exploring point-of-care testing for sepsis and trauma

By embedding clinical research into frontline service delivery, RAID ensures that every critical care mission is an opportunity to improve outcomes, not just for the patient being treated, but for the wider community.

📬 Contact and Further Information