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[Misuse of emergency ambulance services]
D S Krum-Møller1, T B Hansen, R Thyregaard
1Holstebro Centralsygehus, ortopaedkirurgisk afdeling.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|February 24, 1999
Summary
Ambulance misuse for minor injuries is low, with less than 1.5 incidents daily in a population of 200,000. Factors like traffic accidents and head injuries predicted ambulance use for non-emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Emergency medicine
- Healthcare management
Background:
- Ambulance services are critical for emergencies.
- Assessing the appropriate use of emergency medical services (EMS) is vital for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of ambulance misuse for minor injuries in a specific region.
- To identify factors associated with the misuse of ambulance services for non-urgent conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 2708 patient case records from Holstebro and Herning Central Hospitals' A&E departments.
- Analysis of patient demographics, injury types, and mode of transport to the emergency department.
Main Results:
- Traffic accidents, age (18-25 years), and head/back injuries were associated with ambulance use for minor cases.
- An estimated 50% of ambulance transports for minor injuries could have been managed by general practitioners.
- The incidence of misuse was approximately 1.5 cases per day per 200,000 population.
Conclusions:
- While some misuse of ambulance services for minor injuries exists, the overall incidence is relatively low.
- Identifying predictive factors can help in developing strategies to optimize ambulance service utilization.