Summary

Study of emergency medical service frequentation rates

Cano Del Pozo MI, Rabanaque Hernández MJ, Feja Solana C, Martos Jiménez MC, Abad Díez JM, Celorrio Pascual JM, Mateos Rodríguez AA

Affiliation of the authors

General Council of Aragón, Spain. University of Zaragoza, Spain.

DOI

Quote

Cano Del Pozo MI, Rabanaque Hernández MJ, Feja Solana C, Martos Jiménez MC, Abad Díez JM, Celorrio Pascual JM, et al. Study of emergency medical service frequentation rates. Emergencias. 2008;20:179-86

Summary

Background: Despite the application of several measurements, such as the creation of a emergency medical service (EMS), massification and inadequate use of hospitalary emergency departments are still current concerns. The aim of the present study was to assess the utilization of these services in Aragon and to analyce the covariables influenting in their use.

Methods: Observational study regarding the use of the Service 061 ARAGON, during 2003. A bivariant analysis was performed to compare the rates of frequentation in EMS by groups of age, sex and health region, and a study of variability of frequentation rates by health region was made using as the coefficient variation % (CV). A logistic regression model was used to identify the main variables which could have any impact on the likelihood of calling 061 ARAGON on the weekend days.

Results: In contrast with the findings in the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, the highest rates of frequentation were observed in the zones of the city of Saragossa and the percentage of women was higher. The variability for health regions was also higher in women. The probability of asking for the service on Sunday increased with the lower severity of the illness and decreased for males and people under 60 years of age.

Conclusions: EMS have centralized the coordination of emergency care and increased the accessibility to healthcare system, however, the variability in the use should be analyzed.

 

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