Epidemiology of non-transported emergency medical services calls in Saudi Arabia
Daifallah M Alrazeeni
King Saud University, UAE
: J Health Inform Manag
Abstract
To determine the epidemiology of non-transported emergency medical services (EMS) calls within the EMS system at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to identify factors that contribute to non-transport of patients by EMS provider, and to recommend suggestions for reduction in number of nontransported calls. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 1390 patient care reports (PCR) of non-transported cases responded to, and documented by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) emergency medical technicians (EMTs). All PCRs of non-transported cases from 10 EMS stations, in 3 consecutive months were examined. The SRCA EMTs management in Riyadh allocated all non-transported PCRs for 3 months (March-May 2014). Constructive data that includes patients demographics, scene characteristics, trip and timing information, length of stay, clinical and assessment data, and physician contact, or presence status were extracted from those PCRs. Results: Twenty-five percent of calls made during the study period were reported as non-transported calls. Seventy percent of non-transported calls were related to refusal by patient. Approximately 22.4% of non-transported calls were canceled by dispatch. Approximately 50% of non-transported patient were in the young age group (16-30 years). In 26% of non-transported calls, the field time was restricted to 15 minutes. Conclusion: More than half of the non-transported emergency calls were reported as refused by patient/relative, while approximately one quarter was reported as cancelled calls.
Biography
Daifallah M Alrazeeni is presently working as Vice dean for Academic Affairs and Assistant Professor Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh. He is an elected president of the Saudi Association of Emergency Medical Society (SAEMS), Saudi Arabia and Visiting Assistant Professor at Public Health Department, School of applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh.
E-mail: dalrazeeni@KSU.EDU
