Pathfinder is a collaborative project between the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Departments at Beaumont Hospital, North Dublin, ROI.  The service was first trialled in 2019 and subsequently received funding from the Government of ROI Slaintecare Integration Fund for a 12 month pilot in 2020 (Grant Agreement No. 392). The service aims to minimise unnecessary ED attendances for people greater than 65 years, through the utilisation of a range of alternative care pathways following an EMS call.

The Pathfinder team is activated by the National Emergency Operations Centre and only responds to EMS calls. The team accepts direct EMS calls within an agreed low-acuity code set (falls, non-traumatic back pain, generally unwell, blocked/dislodged urinary catheter) or crew referrals from any NAS or Dublin Fire Brigade crew, irrespective of initial dispatch code. The Pathfinder team operates a ‘Rapid Response Team’ (Advanced Paramedic and Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist) (8:00-20:00, Monday-Friday) and a ‘Follow-Up Team’ (Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy) (8:00-16:00, Monday-Friday).

Once activated, the ‘Rapid Response Team’ conducts a comprehensive assessment in the older person’s own home and establishes whether a suitable alternative to the ED is available. Where deemed safe and appropriate, the older person remains at home, most commonly through the activation of one or more alternative care pathways (e.g. GP, Integrated Care Team, Primary Care Team, Community Intervention Team, Geriatric Day Hospital). Input from the Pathfinder ‘Follow-Up Team’ may also be instigated. This team can respond immediately to provide a short period of intensive intervention at home. This input typically lasts for a maximum of one week, with the aim of stabilising the situation and referring onwards to established community and voluntary agencies, if required, for longer-term intervention.

From 11/5/20-16/4/21,  528 EMS callers were referred to Pathfinder. Sixty-nine percent of patients remained at home following initial Pathfinder review. Ninety-nine percent of those remained at home at 24 hours and 90% remained at home at 7 days. The majority (89%) of the patients who remained at home required input from the Pathfinder ‘Follow-Up Team’. The average age of patients reviewed was 80 years with an average Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale score of 6 (moderately frail).  The three primary reasons for the EMS call were falls, generally unwell or non-traumatic back pain.

Pathfinder is the first model of this kind to be implemented and/or evaluated ROI. It has demonstrated that it is a safe alternative to ED conveyance for older people following low-acuity EMS calls. Access to a network of alternative care pathways and immediate follow-up by Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy are two key enablers. The overwhelmingly positive feedback obtained confirms that this is a service model that older people and their carers want. It is a model which could be spread, with local adaptation, nationally and internationally.

References

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3. Baumgarten, M, Margolis, D. J, Localio, A. R, et al. Pressure ulcers among elderly patients early in the hospital stay. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2006. 61(7): p. 749-54.
4. Dugaret, E, Videau, M, Faure, I, et al. Prevalence and incidence rates of pressure ulcers in an Emergency Department. Int Wound J, 2014. 11(4): p. 386-391.
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