Analysis of Patient Transfers in and of Bolu Province of Turkey Performed by 112 Command and Control Center

Abstract

Aim:In this study, we aimed to analyze patient transfers in and out of Bolu province of Turkey that were performed by 112 command and control centers and to contribute to the existing literature on this issue.Materials and Methods:The gender, age, social security status of the patients, distribution according to the types of transport, distribution according to the places of residence, the time of arrival of the 112 teams to the cases, the personnel accompanying the patients, the units where the cases were admitted, and the results of the cases were recorded in the forms designed by the researchers.Results:A total of 3,182 patients transferred by the 112 command and control centers in Bolu province were included in the study. Of all patients, 1287 (40.4%) were female, 1648 (51.8%) were male, and 247 (7.8%) were unspecified. The most common age range was 19-45 years. The mean arrival time was found as 7.53±5.8 minutes (minimum: 0, maximum: 90). 83% (n=2641) of the transfers were performed without a physician, and 2048 (64.4%) had at least one paramedic.Conclusion:The command and control centers being more selective about inappropriate calls will be effective in reducing the intensity of the emergency as well as preventing inappropriate ambulance use.

Keywords

• emergency
• emergency department
• 112
• ambulance
• patient transfer
• paramedic