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Höglund E, Magnusson C, Lederman J, Spangler D, Vloet L, Ebben R. Ambulance quality and outcome measures for general non-conveyed populations (AQUA): A scoping review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306341. [PMID: 39163307 PMCID: PMC11335110 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increasing number of patients receive ambulance care without being conveyed to a definitive care provider. This process has been described as complex, challenging, and lacking in guideline support by EMS clinicians. The use of quality- and outcome measures among non-conveyed patients is an understudied phenomenon. AIM To identify current quality- and outcome measures for the general population of non-conveyed patients in order to describe major trends and knowledge gaps. METHODS A scoping review of peer-reviewed original articles was conducted to identify quality- and outcome measures for non-conveyance within emergency medical services. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews statement (PRISMA-ScR) was followed. The PROSPERO and OSF database were checked for pending reviews or protocols. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library database were searched for relevant articles. Searches were performed in November 2023. RESULTS Thirty-six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Mortality was the most used outcome measure, reported in 24 (67%) of the articles. Emergency department attendance and hospital admission were the following most used outcome measures. Follow-up durations varied substantially between both measures and studies. Mortality rates were found to have the longest follow-up times, with a median follow-up duration a little bit over one week. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review shows that studies report a wide range of quality and outcome measures in the ambulance setting to measure non-conveyance. Reported quality and outcome measures were also heterogeneous with regard to their follow-up timeframe. The variety of approaches to evaluate non-conveyance poses challenges for future research and quality improvement. A more uniform approach to reporting and measuring non-conveyance is needed to enable comparisons between contexts and formal meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Höglund
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University Health Care Research Center, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Carl Magnusson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jakob Lederman
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Douglas Spangler
- Department of Surgical Sciences—Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Uppsala Center for Prehospital Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lilian Vloet
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Ebben
- Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Emergency Medical Service, Veiligheids- en Gezondheidsregio Gelderland-Midden, Arnhem, The Netherlands
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Veldhuis LI, van der Weide L, Nanayakkara P, Ludikhuize J. The accuracy of predicting hospital admission by emergency medical service and emergency department personnel compared to the prehospital MEWS: a prospective multicenter study. BMC Emerg Med 2024; 24:111. [PMID: 38982356 PMCID: PMC11234550 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-024-01031-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Overcrowding in the emergency department (ED) is a global problem. Early and accurate recognition of a patient's disposition could limit time spend at the ED and thus improve throughput and quality of care provided. This study aims to compare the accuracy among healthcare providers and the prehospital Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) in predicting the requirement for hospital admission. METHODS A prospective, observational, multi-centre study was performed including adult patients brought to the ED by ambulance. Involved Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel, ED nurses and physicians were asked to predict the need for hospital admission using a structured questionnaire. Primary endpoint was the comparison between the accuracy of healthcare providers and prehospital MEWS in predicting patients' need for hospital admission. RESULTS In total 798 patients were included of whom 393 (49.2%) were admitted to the hospital. Sensitivity of predicting hospital admission varied from 80.0 to 91.9%, with physicians predicting hospital admission significantly more accurately than EMS and ED nurses (p < 0.001). Specificity ranged from 56.4 to 67.0%. All healthcare providers outperformed MEWS ≥ 3 score on predicting hospital admission (sensitivity 80.0-91.9% versus 44.0%; all p < 0.001). Predictions for ward admissions specifically were significantly more accurate than MEWS (specificity 94.7-95.9% versus 60.6%, all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Healthcare providers can accurately predict the need for hospital admission, and all providers outperformed the MEWS score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars I Veldhuis
- Emergency Department, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Laura van der Weide
- Emergency Department, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Prabath Nanayakkara
- Section General and Acute Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Ludikhuize
- Section General and Acute Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Intensive Care medicine, HagaHospital, the Hague, the Netherlands
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Larsson G, Eldh J, Hagman E, Andersson Hagiwara M. The non-conveyance of trauma patients in Swedish emergency medical services: a retrospective observational study of the trauma population not transported to an emergency department. BMC Emerg Med 2024; 24:34. [PMID: 38413853 PMCID: PMC10900607 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-024-00952-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Due to a systemic modification in Swedish emergency medical services (EMS) staffing in recent years, the nature of the Swedish EMS has changed. Transport to an emergency department (ED) is no longer the only option. Referrals and non-conveyance form a growing part of EMS assignments. Trauma is one of the most common causes of death and accounts for 17% of Swedish EMS assignments. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of non-conveyed trauma patients who were assessed, treated and triaged by the EMS to gain a better understanding of, and to optimise, transport and treatment decisions. METHODS The study had a descriptive, retrospective and epidemiologic design and was conducted by reviewing EMS and hospital records for 837 non-conveyed trauma patients in the southwest of Sweden in 2019. RESULTS Three in four non-conveyed trauma patients did not seek further medical care within 72 h following EMS assessment. The patients who were admitted to hospital later were often older, had suffered a fall and had a medical history. Half of all the incidents occurred in a domestic environment, and head trauma was the major complaint. Less than 1% of the studied patients died. CONCLUSION Most of the non-conveyed trauma patients did not seek further medical care after being discharged at the scene. Falling was the most common trauma event, and for the older population, this meant a higher risk of hospital admission. The reasons for falls should therefore be investigated thoroughly prior to non-conveyance decisions. Future studies should focus on the reasons for non-conveyance and measure the morbidity and invalidity outcomes rather than mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn Larsson
- Centre for Prehospital Research, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, SE-501 90, Borås, Sweden
- Department of Prehospital Emergency Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- PICTA, Prehospital Innovation arena, Lindholmen Science Park, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jana Eldh
- Centre for Prehospital Research, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, SE-501 90, Borås, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Hagman
- Faculty of Health and Society, Department of Care Science, Malmö University, SE-205 06, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Magnus Andersson Hagiwara
- Centre for Prehospital Research, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, SE-501 90, Borås, Sweden.
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Metelmann I, Nagel M, Schneider B, Krämer B, Kraemer S. Lasting Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Prehospital Emergency Medical Service Missions. Open Access Emerg Med 2023; 15:325-332. [PMID: 37745834 PMCID: PMC10516217 DOI: 10.2147/oaem.s425272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic confronted prehospital emergency medical services (PHEMS) with immense challenges. This study aimed to investigate the development of PHEMS mission numbers and times in the COVID-affected region of Southwest Saxony (SWS). Patients and Methods This was a retrospective analysis of PHEMS in SWS during lockdown periods and equal time spans in the previous and following years. Differences were tested for statistical significance using the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The total number of missions showed a substantial drop during the first (-16.6%) and the second (-4.5%) lockdown period compared with the previous year. Next-year periods showed a recovery that was nearly equivalent to the starting point. The first lockdown period was not associated with longer overall mission times. The minutes spent at the scene differed significantly between the first lockdown period (31.1 ± 3.52 min), previous year (28.4 ± 4.84 min), and follow-up period (31.8 ± 0.98 min). During the second lockdown, the overall mission times (71.6 ± 2.91 min), response times in minutes (8.9 ± 0.49 min), and minutes spent at the scene (31.4 ± 2.99 min) were significantly longer. The minutes spent at the scene (32.3 ± 18.68 min) and the overall mission time (69.6 ± 1.92 min) remained significantly longer during the control period. Conclusion Our data confirm the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on German PHEMS. It can be concluded that nationwide lockdown measures led to lasting effects regarding a reduction in the total mission number, transport-on-site released-ratio, and emergency time intervals in the following year, without lockdown restrictions. The lasting effects on the transport-on-site released-ratio and emergency time intervals call for a re-evaluation of the delivery of emergency services during pandemics. These findings can inform future policy decisions and resource allocations to ensure optimal emergency medical services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Metelmann
- Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, 04103, Germany
| | | | | | - Bernd Krämer
- Rettungszweckverband Südwestsachsen, Plauen, Saxony, 08529, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kraemer
- Department of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Saxony, 04103, Germany
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Kasvi A, Iirola T, Nordquist H. Rethinking non-urgent EMS conveyance to ED during night-time - a pilot study in Southwest Finland. BMC Emerg Med 2023; 23:95. [PMID: 37612650 PMCID: PMC10464134 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-023-00872-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The amount of emergency medical service missions has increased internationally in recent years, and emergency departments are overcrowded globally. Previous evidence has shown that patients arriving at the emergency department during nighttime (20 - 08) have to wait longer, are more likely to leave without being seen, and often have non-urgent conditions compared to patients arriving during the day. The objective of this pilot study was to examine what kind of patient groups are conveyed as non-urgent to the hospital by emergency medical service during nighttime and what kind of diagnostic tests and medical interventions those patients receive before morning to identify patient groups that could be non-conveyed or directed to alternative points of care. METHODS This was a retrospective register study where the information of patients conveyed to university hospital during nighttime (20 - 08) were analyzed. Frequencies of the dispatch codes presenting complaints, medical treatments, and diagnostic tests were calculated. Age significance (under/over 70 years) was also tested. RESULTS 73.5% of the patients received neither medical treatment nor had diagnostic tests taken before morning. Most of these were patients with mental disorder(s), hip pain/complaint, or laceration/cut. Almost half of the patients with abdominal pain or fever had laboratory tests taken. Patients over 70 years old received more medications and had more diagnostic tests taken than younger patients. CONCLUSIONS Some of the low-acuity patients could be non-conveyed or referred to alternative pathways of care to avoid impolitic use of emergency medical service and to reduce the workload of emergency departments. Further research is needed to ensure patient safety for patients who are not conveyed at night.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi Kasvi
- Emergency Medical Services, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, Turku, 20521, Finland
| | - Timo Iirola
- Emergency Medical Services, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, PO Box 52, Turku, 20521, Finland
| | - Hilla Nordquist
- Department of Healthcare and Emergency Care, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Pääskysentie 1, Kotka, 48220, Finland.
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Larribau R, Healey B, Chappuis VN, Boussard D, Guiche F, Herren T, Gartner BA, Suppan L. Contribution of Live Video to Physicians' Remote Assessment of Suspected COVID-19 Patients in an Emergency Medical Communication Centre: A Retrospective Study and Web-Based Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3307. [PMID: 36834002 PMCID: PMC9959421 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on emergency medical communication centres (EMCC). A live video facility was made available to second-line physicians in an EMCC with a first-line paramedic to receive emergency calls. The objective of this study was to measure the contribution of live video to remote medical triage. The single-centre retrospective study included all telephone assessments of patients with suspected COVID-19 symptoms from 01.04.2020 to 30.04.2021 in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation of the EMCC and the characteristics of patients who called the two emergency lines (official emergency number and COVID-19 number) with suspected COVID-19 symptoms were described. A prospective web-based survey of physicians was conducted during the same period to measure the indications, limitations and impact of live video on their decisions. A total of 8957 patients were included, and 2157 (48.0%) of the 4493 patients assessed on the official emergency number had dyspnoea, 4045 (90.6%) of 4464 patients assessed on the COVID-19 number had flu-like symptoms and 1798 (20.1%) patients were reassessed remotely by a physician, including 405 (22.5%) with live video, successfully in 315 (77.8%) attempts. The web-based survey (107 forms) showed that physicians used live video to assess mainly the breathing (81.3%) and general condition (78.5%) of patients. They felt that their decision was modified in 75.7% (n = 81) of cases and caught 7 (7.7%) patients in a life-threatening emergency. Medical triage decisions for suspected COVID-19 patients are strongly influenced by the use of live video.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Larribau
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, CH 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Sommer A, Rehbock C, Seeger I, Klausen A, Günther U, Schröder H, Neuerer M, Beckers SK, Krafft T. Zwei Jahre Pilotphase Gemeindenotfallsanitäter in der Region Oldenburg (Niedersachsen). Notf Rett Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10049-022-01079-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Steigende Einsatzzahlen im Rettungsdienst, demografischer Wandel sowie Veränderungen bei der Morbidität und in den Strukturen der Akutversorgung erfordern eine Weiterentwicklung der Versorgungsoptionen an den Sektorengrenzen zwischen ambulanter und stationärer Versorgung. Zur Erprobung von Gemeindenotfallsanitätern (G-NFS) als eine unterstützende Ressource des Rettungsdienstes wird in der Region Oldenburg seit 2019 ein Modellprojekt mit wissenschaftlicher Begleitung durchgeführt.
Methodik
Im Rahmen einer Mixed-Methods-Studie wurden Fokusgruppeninterviews mit den vier regionalen G‑NFS-Gruppen (Stadt Oldenburg und die Kreise Vechta, Cloppenburg und Ammerland) durchgeführt. Die Interviews (Teilnahme ca. 56,7 % aller G‑NFS) wurden jeweils durch eine kurze anonyme Online-Umfrage (Teilnahme ca. 53,3 % aller G‑NFS) mit denselben Teilnehmern ergänzt. Interviews und Online-Befragung zielten auf die persönlichen Einsatzerfahrungen vor und während der Coronapandemie ab. Die Interviewergebnisse wurden anhand thematischen Codierens analysiert und ausgewertet.
Ergebnisse
An den Interviews und der anschließenden Umfrage nahmen 17 bzw. 16 G-NFS teil. Aus Sicht der G‑NFS ergänzt die Ressource das bisherige Reaktionsspektrum des Rettungsdienstes in Form von Rettungswagen (RTW) oder Krankentransportwagen (KTW) um eine sinnvolle und fachgerechte Komponente, die insbesondere zur erforderlichen Entlastung der Einsatzmittel der Notfallversorgung beiträgt. Die notwendige sektorenübergreifende Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Diensten verläuft in Abhängigkeit von den jeweiligen lokalen Gegebenheiten unterschiedlich, aber insgesamt zielgerichtet und effizient; Gleiches gilt für die Zusammenarbeit mit den zuständigen Rettungsleitstellen. G‑NFS wurden in den Hochphasen der Pandemie in die Triagierung von COVID-Verdachtsfällen einbezogen und haben zur dringend gebotenen Entlastung des Rettungssystems in der Region beigetragen.
Diskussion
Das G‑NFS-Konzept hat sich aus Sicht der Mitarbeiter in der bisherigen Projektlaufzeit bewährt. Die vorliegenden Erfahrungen bieten eine gute Grundlage für die konzeptionelle Weiterentwicklung des G‑NFS.
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Ivic R, Vicente V, Kurland L, Svensson J, Sahdev Klintemård R, Castrén M, Bohm K. Pre-hospital emergency nurse specialist's experiences in caring for patients with non-specific chief complaints in the ambulance - A qualitative interview study. Int Emerg Nurs 2022; 63:101178. [PMID: 35738055 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2022.101178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-hospital emergency nurse (PEN) specialists are faced with patients presenting with non-specific chief complaints (NSC) to the emergency medical service (EMS) on a daily basis. These patients are often elderly and one in three has a serious condition and their acuity is not recognized. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study was to explore PEN specialists' experiences in caring for patients presenting with non-specific chief complaints. DESIGN A qualitative study design with eleven individual interviews of PENs, between 2018 and 2020. Qualitative content analysis was used. RESULTS The analyses generated three categories including subcategories. The categories were "Unexplained suffering". "Systematic approach and experience enhances medical safety". "Organizational processes can be optimized". The relation between the categories compiled as ́In-depth systematic assessment is perceived to reduce suffering and increases patient safetý. CONCLUSION The PENs experiences in caring for patients presenting with non-specific chief complaints show that an in-depth systematic assessment may lead to a meaningful caring encounter which enables the identification of the cause of the chief complaint. Experience and a systematic approach were considered as essential to enhance medical safety. This could be strengthened through feedback on the nurse's care provided by care managers and employers. To optimize organizational processes, the development of the opportunity to convey the patient to different levels of care can be an important component.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ivic
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Academic Emergency Medical Service, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - V Vicente
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - L Kurland
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Örebro University, Department for Medical Sciences, Örebro, Sweden.
| | | | | | - M Castrén
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Emergency Medicine, Helsinki University and Department of Emergency Medicine and Services, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - K Bohm
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Emergency Medicine, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Outcomes in patients not conveyed by emergency medical services (EMS): a one-year prospective study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2022; 30:40. [PMID: 35698086 PMCID: PMC9195370 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-022-01023-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The decision to not convey patients has become common in emergency medical services worldwide. A substantial proportion (12–51%) of the patients seen by emergency medical services are not conveyed by those services. The practice of non-conveyance is a result of the increasing and changing demands on the acute care system. Research focusing on the outcomes of the decision by emergency medical services to not convey patients is needed. Aim The aim was to describe outcomes (emergency department visits, admission to in-hospital intensive care units and mortality, all within seven days) and their association with the variables (sex, age, day of week, time of day, emergency signs and symptoms codes, triage level colour, and destination) for non-conveyed patients. Methods This was a prospective analytical study with consecutive inclusion of all patients not conveyed by emergency medical services. Patients were included between February 2016 and January 2017. The study was conducted in Region Örebro county, Sweden. The region consists of both rural and urban areas and has a population of approximately 295,000. The region had three ambulance departments that received approximately 30,000 assignments per year. Results The result showed that no patient received intensive care, and 18 (0.7%) patients died within seven days after the non-conveyance decision. Older age was associated with a higher risk of hospitalisation and death within seven days after a non-conveyance decision. Conclusions Based on the results of this one-year follow-up study, few patients compared to previous studies were admitted to the hospital, received intensive care or died within seven days. This study contributes insights that can be used to improve non-conveyance guidelines and minimise the risk of patient harm. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13049-022-01023-3.
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Larsson G, Dagerhem A, Wihlborg J, Rantala A. Satisfaction among non-conveyed patients and significant others when discharged at the scene by the ambulance service: an exploratory cross-sectional survey. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:100. [PMID: 35672702 PMCID: PMC9171931 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00659-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ambulance service is facing an increased number of calls and ambulance assignments. Between 12 and 42% of all assignments result in non-conveyance to the Accident and Emergency Department. However, there is limited knowledge regarding satisfaction among patients and significant others when patients are assessed as non-urgent and discharged at the scene. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore and compare satisfaction with the ambulance service among patients and significant others when the patient was discharged at the scene. Methods The present study was designed as a cross-sectional exploratory survey with a consecutive sample employing the Consumer Emergency Care Satisfaction Scale questionnaire on patients and significant others. Results A total of 162 questionnaires were analysed, 87 patients and 75 significant others. Overall, satisfaction was high with no significant difference between patients and significant others, although 17-19% were dissatisfied with the discharge information. Conclusions Generally, patients and significant others are satisfied with the care provided by the Ambulance Service when discharged at the scene and thus not conveyed the Accident and Emergency Department. The participants were especially satisfied with Specialist Ambulance Nurses’ interpersonal skills, e.g., making time and providing thorough information. Guidelines for assignments involving non-conveyance, as well as information, instructions and what to expect when discharged at the scene can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn Larsson
- PreHospen-Centre for Prehospital Research, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden.,Department of Prehospital Emergency Care, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alma Dagerhem
- Emergency Department, Halland Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Jonas Wihlborg
- School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden
| | - Andreas Rantala
- Emergency Department, Helsingborg General Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden. .,Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, P.O. Box 157, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden. .,Centre of Interprofessional Cooperation within Emergency Care (CICE), Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden.
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Heinonen K, Puolakka T, Salmi H, Boyd J, Laiho M, Porthan K, Harve‐Rytsälä H, Kuisma M. Ambulance crew-initiated non-conveyance in the Helsinki EMS system-A retrospective cohort study. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2022; 66:625-633. [PMID: 35170028 PMCID: PMC9544076 DOI: 10.1111/aas.14049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Ambulance patients are usually transported to the hospital in the emergency medical service (EMS) system. The aim of this study was to describe the non‐conveyance practice in the Helsinki EMS system and to report mortality following non‐conveyance decisions. Methods All prehospital patients ≥16 years attended by the EMS but not transported to a hospital during 2013–2017 were included in the study. EMS mission‐ and patient‐related factors were collected and examined in relation to patient death within 30 days of the EMS non‐conveyance decision. Results The EMS performed 324,207 missions with a patient during the study period. The patient was not transported in 95,909 (29.6%) missions; 72,233 missions met the study criteria. The patient mean age (standard deviation) was 59.5 (22.5) years; 55.5% of patients were female. The most common dispatch codes were malaise (15.0%), suspected decline in vital signs (14.0%), and falling over (12.9%). A total of 960 (1.3%) patients died within 30 days after the non‐conveyance decision. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that mortality was associated with the patient's inability to walk (odds ratio 3.19, 95% confidence interval 2.67–3.80), ambulance dispatch due to shortness of breath (2.73, 2.27–3.27), decreased level of consciousness (2.72, 1.75–4.10), decreased blood oxygen saturation (2.64, 2.27–3.06), and abnormal systolic blood pressure (2.48, 1.79–3.37). Conclusion One‐third of EMS missions did not result in patient transport to the hospital. Thirty‐day mortality was 1.3%. Abnormalities in multiple respiratory‐related vital signs were associated with an increased likelihood of death within 30 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Heinonen
- Department of Emergency Medicine & Services Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Department of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Tuukka Puolakka
- Department of Emergency Medicine & Services Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Department of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Heli Salmi
- Department of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - James Boyd
- Department of Emergency Medicine & Services Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Mia Laiho
- Parliament of Finland Helsinki Finland
| | - Kari Porthan
- Helsinki City Rescue Department Helsinki Finland
| | - Heini Harve‐Rytsälä
- Department of Emergency Medicine & Services Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Markku Kuisma
- Department of Emergency Medicine & Services Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
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12
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Barten DG, van Zijl R, Körver FWJ, Peters NALR. Simultaneous interfacility transfer of multiple non-critically ill COVID-19 patients using a single vehicle: the ambulance bus experience. Int J Emerg Med 2022; 15:10. [PMID: 35247962 PMCID: PMC8897726 DOI: 10.1186/s12245-022-00415-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital capacity in the Netherlands has been pushed to its limits. In order to prevent hospitals from collapse due to capacity issues, hospitalized COVID-19 patients were redistributed throughout the country. The numerous individual interfacility transfers further increased the pressure on emergency medical services (EMS), which simultaneously had to serve the community during the pandemic. In this report, we evaluate the interfacility transport of multiple non-critically ill COVID-19 patients using one single vehicle: a coach converted into an ambulance bus. Discussion Between March 28, 2020, and July 17, 2021, the ambulance bus was dispatched 22 times. In total, 102 patients were transferred over a mean distance of 79.6 km. No technical or patient-related adverse events were reported. The primary benefits of the ambulance bus were its time and staff reducing potential, as well as the ability to provide relief to overwhelmed hospitals. Furthermore, it could be assembled from existing equipment in a relatively short time span. However, the efficiency of dispatches and matching between hospitals could be improved. Conclusion The simultaneous interfacility transfer of multiple non-critically ill COVID-19 patients using an ambulance bus was feasible. No technical or patient-related adverse events were reported during 22 dispatches, involving a total of 102 patients. This mode of transport may also be useful in non-pandemic situations, such as hospital and nursing home evacuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis G Barten
- Department of Emergency Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, P.O. Box 1926, 5900, BX, Venlo, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | - Nathalie A L R Peters
- Department of Emergency Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, P.O. Box 1926, 5900, BX, Venlo, The Netherlands.,AmbulanceZorg Limburg-Noord, Venlo, The Netherlands
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13
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Lederman J, Lindström V, Elmqvist C, Löfvenmark C, Ljunggren G, Djärv T. Non-conveyance of older adult patients and association with subsequent clinical and adverse events after initial assessment by ambulance clinicians: a cohort analysis. BMC Emerg Med 2021; 21:154. [PMID: 34895152 PMCID: PMC8666056 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-021-00548-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Older adults (age ≥ 65 years) represent a significant proportion of all patients who are not transported to hospital after assessment by ambulance clinicians (non-conveyed patients). This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap in the understanding of the prevalence of older adult non-conveyed patients and investigate their characteristics and risk factors for subsequent and adverse events with those of younger non-conveyed patients comparatively. Methods This population-based retrospective cohort study included all adult non-conveyed patients who availed the ambulance service of Region Stockholm, Sweden in 2015; they were age-stratified into two groups: 18–64 and ≥ 65 years. Inter-group differences in short-term outcomes (i.e. emergency department visits, hospitalisations, and mortality within 7 days following non-conveyance) were assessed using multivariate regression analyses. Results Older adult patients comprised 48% of the 17,809 non-conveyed patients. Dispatch priority levels were generally lower among older non-conveyed patients than among younger patients. Non-conveyance among older patients occurred more often during daytime, and they were more frequently assessed by ambulance clinicians with nonspecific presenting symptoms. Approximately one in five older adults was hospitalised within 7 days following non-conveyance. Patients presenting with infectious symptoms had the highest mortality risk following non-conveyance. Oxygen saturation level < 95% or systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg had significantly higher associations with hospitalisation within 7 days following non-conveyance in older adult patients. Conclusions Older adult patients have an increased risk for adverse events following non-conveyance. In combination with a complex and variating presentation of symptoms and vital signs proved difficult for dispatch operators and ambulance clinicians to identify and assess, the identified risks raise questions on the patient safety of older adult non-conveyed patients. The results indicate a system failure that need to be managed within the ambulance service organisation to achieve higher levels of patient safety for older non-conveyed patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-021-00548-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Lederman
- Dept. of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Sjukhusbacken 10, 118 83, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Academic Emergency Medical Services/AISAB Ambulance care in Greater Stockholm Ltd, Region Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Veronica Lindström
- Samariten Ambulance, Stockholm, Sweden.,Dept. of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, section of nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carina Elmqvist
- Dept. of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden.,Centre of Interprofessional Cooperation within Emergency care (CICE), Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Caroline Löfvenmark
- Dept. of Health promoting science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Ljunggren
- Division for Family Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Academic Primary Health care Centre, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Therese Djärv
- Dept. of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Alanazy ARM, Wark S, Fraser J, Nagle A. Nontransported Cases after Emergency Medical Service Callout in the Rural and Urban Areas of the Riyadh Region. SAUDI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & MEDICAL SCIENCES 2020; 9:38-44. [PMID: 33519342 PMCID: PMC7839576 DOI: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_560_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background Callouts resulting in patient nontransportation can impact the overall quality of prehospital Emergency Medical Service (EMS), as resources in health care are finite. While some studies have investigated the causes of nontransportation, few have examined whether there are differences between urban and rural patients. Similarly, there has been limited research focused on rural EMS in locations such as the Middle East. Objectives This study investigated EMS cases that resulted in nontransportation in the urban and rural areas of the Riyadh region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study of 800 (400 rural and 400 urban) patient records was undertaken, using 12 months (January 1 to December 31, 2017) of data from the Saudi Red Crescent EMS. A random sampling method was used to select ambulance records from the 78 urban and rural EMS stations in the Riyadh region, with demographic data and reasons for patient nontransport analyzed comparatively. Results A total of 310 cases were nontransported (39%) (rural: 146; urban = 164). The highest rates of nontransportation cases were of medical and trauma callouts (44.6% and 39.6%, respectively), which was consistent in both areas. The most common reason for nontransportation in both urban and rural areas was refusal of treatment and transportation (66.5% and 59.9%, respectively). Further, 10 patients were treated on-scene and released by rural EMS, while no urban patients were treated and released. Overall, the case presentations of nontransported patients did not differ significantly between both areas, and it was found that gender, age, and geographic location were not predictors for nontransportation. Conclusions The high rate of nontransportation, particularly in medical and trauma callouts, indicates that a review of current EMS protocols may be required, along with consideration of relevant community education programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Ramdan M Alanazy
- School of Rural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stuart Wark
- School of Rural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Fraser
- School of Rural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda Nagle
- School of Rural Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
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15
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Alrazeeni DM. Relationship Between Nonconveyed Cases and On-Scene Time Intervals for Emergency Medical Services. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020; 13:1895-1904. [PMID: 33324069 PMCID: PMC7733405 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s279693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Emergency medical service (EMS) consumption is increasing worldwide. Some EMS cases in Saudi Arabia result in nonconveyance of patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between nonconveyed EMS cases and on-scene time intervals in Riyadh EMS centers. Methods Nonrandomized retrospective data obtained from EMS providers of nonconveyed emergency cases were gathered and analyzed. Data were taken from the ten busiest EMS centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from January 1 to April 30, 2019. Analyses of means ± SD, bivariate comparisons, multivariate analysis, CI correlations, and regressionwere performed. Results Categories of nonconveyed cases were “Treatment given at the scene” V1 = 66, “Refused by patient/relative” (V2 = 876), “Patient not found” (V3 = 67), “Dead patient” (V4 = 80”, “Other (police, etc)” (V5 = 34), and NA (96). We found highly significant differences (p<0.001) among several categories of nonconveyed cases and on-scene time intervals among EMS centers. Conclusion This study found that there were highly significant differences among several categories of nonconveyed cases in relation to on-scene time intervals for different EMS centers. Results indicated that the probability of nonconveyance decisions was more likely to increase in the categories “Refused by patient/relative,” “Patient not found,” and “Dead patient.” The results did not reveal details of what happened on scene during or after the nonconveyance decision had been made, which needs to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daifallah M Alrazeeni
- Academic Affairs, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz College for EMS, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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16
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Forsgärde ES, Elmqvist C, Fridlund B, Svensson A, Andersson R, Rööst M. Patients' aged ≥65 years dispositions during ambulance assignments, including factors associated with non-conveyance to hospital: a longitudinal and comparative study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e038885. [PMID: 33243795 PMCID: PMC7692831 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients ≥65 years old represent 30%-50% of all ambulance assignments (AAs), and the knowledge of which care level they are disposed to is limited and diverging. The aim of this study was therefore to describe and compare characteristics of patients' aged ≥65 years dispositions during AA, including determining changes over time and factors associated with non-conveyance to hospitals. DESIGN A longitudinal and comparative database study. SETTING Ambulance service in a Swedish region. PARTICIPANTS 32 085 AAs with patients ≥65 years old during the years 2014, 2016 and 2018. EXCLUSION CRITERIA AAs with interhospital patient transfers and lack of patients' dispositions data. OUTCOME MEASURES Dependent factors: conveyance and non-conveyance to hospitals. Independent factors: age, sex, symptom, triage level, scene, time, day and season. RESULTS The majority (n=29 060; 90.6%) of patients' dispositions during AA were conveyance to hospitals. In total, the most common symptoms were circulatory (n=4953; 15.5%) and respiratory (n=4529; 14.1%). A significant increase, p<0.01, of non-conveyance to hospitals was shown during 2014 and 2018, from 801 (7.8%) to 1295 (11.4%). Increasing age was associated with decreasing odds of non-conveyance, 85-89 years (OR=0.85, 95 % CI=0.72 to 0.99) and 90 years or older (OR=0.80, 95 % CI=0.68 to 0.93). Several factors were associated with non-conveyance, for example, symptoms of diabetes (OR=8.57, 95 % CI=5.99 to 12.26) and mental disorders (OR=5.71, 95 % CI=3.85 to 8.48) in comparison with infections. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrates several patient characteristics, and factors associated with non-conveyance to hospitals, such as age, symptom, triage level, scene, time, day and season. The increasing non-conveyance trend highlights the importance of further studies on optimal care levels for patients ≥65 years old.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin-Sofie Forsgärde
- Health and Caring Science, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
- Centre of Interprofessional Cooperation within Emergency Care (CICE), Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Carina Elmqvist
- Centre of Interprofessional Cooperation within Emergency Care (CICE), Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
- Department for Research and Development, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Bengt Fridlund
- Centre of Interprofessional Cooperation within Emergency Care (CICE), Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Anders Svensson
- Health and Caring Science, Linnaeus University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Växjö, Sweden
- Ambulance Service, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden
| | | | - Mattias Rööst
- Department for Research and Development, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden
- Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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17
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King R, Oprescu F, Lord B, Flanagan B. Patient experience of non-conveyance following emergency ambulance service response: A scoping review of the literature. Australas Emerg Care 2020; 24:210-223. [PMID: 32943367 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evolution of ambulance service response models has resulted in significant numbers of patients not being conveyed to Emergency Departments. Prior research has attempted to measure patient-safety aspects of non- conveyance with inconclusive results. Several authors have recommended investigation of patient experience as an alternative metric. Understanding patient experience is acknowledged as a core requirement for design and evaluation of changes to healthcare delivery. However, it is unclear to what extent patient experience of non-conveyance is described in academic literature. AIMS To map scholarly literature that describes patient experience of non-conveyance and identify knowledge gaps that guide future research. METHODS Scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework. RESULTS Ten studies of heterogenous methodology were included. Commonly, high levels of satisfaction with paramedic care were reported, yet contributing factors to satisfaction were generally not described. Qualitative studies provided deeper insight into experience. Value was attributed to reassurance and being empowered in the decision-making process. Not having concerns validated by paramedics led to negative experiences. CONCLUSION There is a scarcity of quality research that has investigated patient experience of non-conveyance following emergency ambulance service response. Methods used by existing research is of low-quality. Patient experience of non-conveyance is not fully known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbie King
- School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Queensland, Australia.
| | - Florin Oprescu
- School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Queensland, Australia
| | - Bill Lord
- Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Belinda Flanagan
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, USC, Queensland, Australia
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18
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Höglund E, Andersson-Hagiwara M, Schröder A, Möller M, Ohlsson-Nevo E. Characteristics of non-conveyed patients in emergency medical services (EMS): a one-year prospective descriptive and comparative study in a region of Sweden. BMC Emerg Med 2020; 20:61. [PMID: 32778074 PMCID: PMC7418316 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-020-00353-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There has been an increasing demand for emergency medical services (EMS), and a growing number of patients are not conveyed; i.e., they are referred to levels of care other than ambulance conveyance to the emergency department. Patient safety issues have been raised regarding the ability of EMS to decide not to convey patients. To improve non-conveyance guidelines, information is needed about patients who are not conveyed by EMS. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe and compare the proportion and characteristics of non-conveyed EMS patients, together with assignment data. Methods A descriptive and comparative consecutive cohort design was undertaken. The decision of whether to convey patients was made by EMS according to a region-specific non-conveyance guideline. Non-conveyed patients’ medical record data were prospectively gathered from February 2016 to January 2017. Analyses was conducted using the chi-squared test, two-sample t test, proportion test and Mann-Whitneys U-test. Results Out of the 23,250 patients served during the study period, 2691 (12%) were not conveyed. For non-conveyed adults, the most commonly used Emergency Signs and Symptoms (ESS) codes were unspecific symptoms/malaise, abdomen/flank/groin pain, and breathing difficulties. For non-conveyed children, the most common ESS codes were breathing difficulties and fever of unclear origin. Most of the non-conveyed patients had normal vital signs. Half of all patients with a designated non-conveyance level of care were referred to self-care. There were statistically significant differences between men and women. Conclusions Fewer patients were non-conveyed in the studied region compared to national and international non-conveyance rates. The differences seen between men and women were not of clinical significance. Follow-up studies are needed to understand what effect patient outcome so that guidelines might improve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Höglund
- University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Box 1613, 701 16, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Magnus Andersson-Hagiwara
- Centre for Prehospital Research, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden
| | - Agneta Schröder
- University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Box 1613, 701 16, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Health Sciences in Gjøvik, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Gjøvik, Norway
| | - Margareta Möller
- University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Box 1613, 701 16, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Emma Ohlsson-Nevo
- University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Box 1613, 701 16, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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19
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Lederman J, Lindström V, Elmqvist C, Löfvenmark C, Djärv T. Non-conveyance in the ambulance service: a population-based cohort study in Stockholm, Sweden. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036659. [PMID: 32665389 PMCID: PMC7365423 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Non-conveyed patients represent a significant proportion of all patients cared for by ambulance services in the western world. However, scientific knowledge on non-conveyance is sparse. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of non-conveyance, investigate associations and compare patients' characteristics, drug administration, initial problems and vital signs between non-conveyed and conveyed patients. DESIGN A population-based retrospective cohort study. SETTING The study setting area, Stockholm, Sweden, has a population of 2.3 million inhabitants, with seven emergency hospitals. Annually, approximately 210 000 assignments are performed by 73 ambulances. All ambulance assignments performed from 1 January to 31 December 2015 were included. RESULTS In total, 23 603 ambulance assignments ended in non-conveyance-13.8% of all ambulance assignments performed in 2015. Compared with conveyed patients, non-conveyed patients were younger and more often female (median age 50.1 years for non-conveyed vs 61.7 years for conveyed; female=52 %, both p values <0.001). Approximately half of all ambulance assignments ending in non-conveyance were initially prioritised and dispatched as the highest priority. Non-conveyed patients were more often assessed by ambulance clinicians as presenting non-specific symptoms or symptoms related to psychiatric problems. Low blood glucose levels were highly associated with non-conveyance (adjusted OR (AOR): 15; 95 % CI 11.18 to 20.13), although non-conveyed patients presented abnormal vital signs across all categories of vital signs. Moreover, drugs were more often administered to younger non-conveyed patients. Older patients were more often conveyed and administered drugs once conveyed (AOR: 1.29; 95 % CI 1.07 to 1.56). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that non-conveyed patients represent a non-negligible proportion of all patients in contact with ambulance services. In general, most cases of non-conveyance occur at the highest dispatch level, to a large extent involve younger patients, and features problems assessed by ambulance clinicians as non-specific or related to psychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Lederman
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Academic Emergency Medical Services, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Veronica Lindström
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Section of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Samariten Ambulance, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carina Elmqvist
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Centre of Interprofessional Cooperation within Emergency care, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Caroline Löfvenmark
- Department of Health Promoting Science, Sophiahemmet University College, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Therese Djärv
- Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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20
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Magnusson C, Herlitz J, Axelsson C. Patient characteristics, triage utilisation, level of care, and outcomes in an unselected adult patient population seen by the emergency medical services: a prospective observational study. BMC Emerg Med 2020; 20:7. [PMID: 32000684 PMCID: PMC6993445 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-020-0302-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Crowding in the emergency department (ED) is a safety concern, and pathways to bypass the ED have been introduced to reduce the time to definitive care. Conversely, a number of low-acuity patients in the ED could be assessed by the emergency medical services (EMS) as requiring a lower level of care. The limited access to primary care in Sweden leaves the EMS nurse to either assess the patient as requiring the ED or to stay at the scene. This study aimed to assess patient characteristics and evaluate the initial assessment by and utilisation of the ambulance triage system and the appropriateness of non-transport decisions. Methods A prospective observational study including 6712 patients aged ≥16 years was conducted. The patient records with 72 h of follow-up for non-transported patients were reviewed. Outcomes of death, time-critical conditions, complications within 48 h and final hospital assessment were evaluated. The Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher’s exact test, and Spearman’s rank correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results The median patient age was 66 years, and the most common medical history was a circulatory diagnosis. Males received a higher priority from dispatchers and were more frequently assessed at the scene as requiring hospital care. A total of 1312 patients (19.7%) were non-transported; a history of psychiatric disorders or no medical history was more commonly noted among these patients. Twelve (0.9%) of the 1312 patients not transported were later admitted with time-critical conditions. Full triage was applied in 77.4% of the cases, and older patients were triaged at the scene as an ‘unspecific condition’ more frequently than younger patients. Overall, the 30-day mortality was 4.1% (n = 274). Conclusions Age, sex, medical history, and presentation all appear to influence the initial assessment. A number of patients transported to ED could be managed at a lower level of care. A small proportion of the non-transported patients were later diagnosed with a time-critical condition, warranting improved assessment tools at the scene and education of the personnel focusing on the elderly population. These results may be useful in addressing resource allocation issues aiming at increasing patient safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Magnusson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Johan Herlitz
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Pre Hospen-Centre for Prehospital Research, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden
| | - Christer Axelsson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Pre Hospen-Centre for Prehospital Research, Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden
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21
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Backman T, Juuso P, Borg R, Engström Å. Ambulance nurses' experiences of deciding a patient does not require ambulance care. Nurs Open 2019; 6:783-789. [PMID: 31367400 PMCID: PMC6650689 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To describe ambulance nurses' experience of deciding a patient does not require ambulance care. DESIGN An inductive, empirical study with a qualitative approach. METHODS Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, and collected data were analysed with qualitative manifest content analysis. Data were collected during the spring 2017, and eight ambulance nurses participated. RESULTS The findings are presented in one main category, which is "Not very ill but a difficult decision" with totally three subcategories. The ambulance nurse's experience of making the assessment when the patient has no need for ambulance care is like walking the balance of slack line. This means that the assessment can be both easy and very difficult but something that definitely requires experience, knowledge and dedication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Päivi Juuso
- Division of Nursing, Department of Health ScienceLuleå University of TechnologyLuleåSweden
| | - Ronja Borg
- Västerås HospitalRegion of VästmanlandVästeråsSweden
| | - Åsa Engström
- Division of Nursing, Department of Health ScienceLuleå University of TechnologyLuleåSweden
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22
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Vloet LCM, de Kreek A, van der Linden EMC, van Spijk JJA, Theunissen VAH, van Wanrooij M, van Grunsven PM, Ebben RHA. A retrospective comparison between non-conveyed and conveyed patients in ambulance care. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2018; 26:91. [PMID: 30373652 PMCID: PMC6206905 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-018-0557-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Not all patients where an ambulance is dispatched are conveyed to an emergency department. Although non-conveyance is a substantial part of ambulance care, there is limited insight in the non-conveyance patient population. Therefore, the study aim was to compare demographics, initial on-scene reasons for care, and vital signs between conveyed and non-conveyed patients attended by an ambulance. METHODS A retrospective study of ambulance runs from 2 EMS regions in the Netherlands in 2016 was performed. For each ambulance run demographics (age, gender and geographical location), initial reasons for care categorised into the ICD-10 classification system, and vital functions or observational scales (according to the national ambulance care protocol) were collected and analyzed. RESULTS 54.797 ambulance runs met the inclusion criteria, of which 14.383/54.797 (26.2%) resulted in non-conveyance. There was no significant difference in gender, but the non-conveyance group was significantly younger (48.5 (±26.4) years) compared to the conveyance group (60.7 (±22.2) years) (p = .000). The most common initial reasons for care for the conveyance group could be classified into chapter-9 diseases of the circulatory system, chapter-19 injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes, and chapter-10 diseases of the respiratory system. The most common reasons for care in the non-conveyance group could be classified into the chapter-9 diseases of the circulatory system, chapter-19 injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes, and -chapter-5 mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders. The total percentage abnormal vital functions/observation scales between the conveyance (69.5%) and non-conveyance group (58.6%) was significantly different (p = .000). 15 out of 17 vital functions/observation scales are significantly different between the conveyance and non-conveyance group. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that non-conveyed patients are younger, are more likely to be in (highly) rural areas, and more often have initial reasons for care related to mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders (ICD-10 chapter 5). Although abnormal vital functions/observation scale were more prevalent in the conveyance group, 58.6% of the non-conveyed patients had at least one abnormal vital function/observation scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian C. M. Vloet
- Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 6960, 6503 Nijmegen, GL The Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences IQ Healthcare, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan de Kreek
- Regional Emergency Medical Service Veiligheidsregio Gelderland-Midden, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Emmelieke M. C. van der Linden
- Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 6960, 6503 Nijmegen, GL The Netherlands
| | - Jori J. A. van Spijk
- Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 6960, 6503 Nijmegen, GL The Netherlands
| | - Vince A. H. Theunissen
- Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 6960, 6503 Nijmegen, GL The Netherlands
| | - Maud van Wanrooij
- Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 6960, 6503 Nijmegen, GL The Netherlands
| | - Pierre M. van Grunsven
- Regional Emergency Medical Service Veiligheidsregio Gelderland-Zuid, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Remco H. A. Ebben
- Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Research Department of Emergency and Critical Care, HAN University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 6960, 6503 Nijmegen, GL The Netherlands
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