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IntroductionRoutine linkage of emergency ambulance records with those from the emergency department is uncommon in the UK. Our study, known as the Pre-Hospital Emergency Department Data Linking Project (PHED Data), aimed to link records of all patients conveyed by a single emergency ambulance service to thirteen emergency departments in the UK from 2012-2016. Objectives We aimed to examine the feasibility and resource requirements of collecting de-identified emergency department patient record data and, using a deterministic matching algorithm, linking it to ambulance service data. Methods We used a learning log to record contacts and activities undertaken by the research team to achieve data linkage. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with information management/governance staff involved in the process. Results We found that five steps were required for successful data linkage for each hospital trust. The total time taken to achieve linkage was a mean of 65 weeks. A total of 958,057 emergency department records were obtained and, of these, 81% were linked to a corresponding ambulance record. The match rate varied between hospital trusts (50%-94%). Staff expressed strong enthusiasm for data linkage. Barriers to successful linkage were mainly due to inconsistencies between and within acute trusts in the recording of two ambulance event identifiers (CAD and call sign). Further data cleaning was required on emergency department fields before full analysis could be conducted. Ensuring the data was not re-identifiable limited validation of the matching method. Conclusion We conclude that deterministic record linkage based on the combination of two event identifiers (CAD and call sign) is possible. There is an appetite for data linkage in healthcare organisations but it is a slow process. Developments in standardising the recording of emergency department data are likely to improve the quality of the resultant linked dataset. This would further increase its value for providing evidence to support improvements in health care delivery.

Background Pre‐hospital blood products, including freeze‐dried plasma, are increasingly carried on air ambulance helicopters. The purpose of this study was to map the temperatures within a civilian air ambulance and consider the implications for pre‐hospital transfusion. Materials and Methods We conducted a single‐site prospective observational study in the United Kingdom. Tinytag temperature data‐loggers (Gemini, UK) were secured on to three locations throughout an air ambulance, and one was placed inside an insulated drug‐pouch. Temperatures were monitored at 5‐min intervals. Data were downloaded monthly and processed using R and MKT software to collate maximum, minimum, and day/night mean kinetic temperatures (MKTs). Blood was transported in Crēdo ProMed 4 containers (Peli Products, S.L.U) and monitored with QTA data‐loggers (Tridentify, Sweden). Results A total of 344,844 temperature recordings were made on 302 days during a 12‐month period from January 2019. The external ambient temperatures varied seasonally from −7.1°C to 31.2°C, whereas internal temperatures ranged from −0.3°C to 60.6°C. The warmest area was alongside the left front‐crew position (range 1.9–60.6°C, MKT 24.8°C). The lowest daytime MKT (16.9°C) and range (1.7°C–36.4°C) were recorded next to the patient stretcher. Temperatures ranged from 4.2°C to 40.1°C inside the insulated drugs‐pouch, exceeding 25°C on 47 days (15%) and falling below 15°C on 192 days (63%) In contrast, thermally packed blood maintained a range of 2–6°C. Conclusion The temperatures within an air ambulance varied throughout the cabin and often exceeded the external ambient temperature. Appropriately selected thermal protection and monitoring is required for the successful delivery of pre‐hospital transfusion, even in a temperate climate.