Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Patients Brought to Pediatric Emergency Department by Ambulance

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, clinical and demographic characteristics of cases brought to pediatric emergency department by ambulance were examined. We aimed to determine interventions and diagnoses of the patients, classify cases according to transfer place and type, evaluate appropriateness of referral, and contribute to the efficiency of the referral chain. Methods: Five hundred forty two cases brought to pediatric emergency department by ambulance were followed up prospectively. Characteristics of cases were recorded from ambulance intervention form, automation system of our hospital, pediatric emergency service examination records and nurse observation records. Results: 2.54% (n=542) of the cases came to our pediatric emergency department by ambulance. Green field applications were the highest in all months. 4.7% of the patients came from outside the city. 49.4% of the patients were taken from home, 48.8% from another hospital or health institution. 53.2% of the cases were primary cases, the cases brought although the referral was not accepted were 10.5%. The diagnoses of patients were compatible in 79.2%. Body temperature of most of the patients was not measured by the ambulance teams and the respiratory rate was not recorded. Four patients who underwent endotracheal intubation in the emergency department did not undergo endotracheal intubation in the ambulance. While 15.5% of the patients were discharged without need of any observation, the majority (55.7%) were followed up in the emergency observation unit. 89.9% of the patients were discharged with recovery, 1.5% referred, and 0.9% died. Conclusion: Ambulances use is frequent in our city, emergency care in our hospital is provided to patients coming from within the city and from outside the city. Ambulance teams sometimes do not apply appropriate and necessary intervention to pediatric patients. Recording and interpretation of vital signs is important for timely and effective intervention. Real emergencies should also be recognized and inappropriate ambulance use should be prevented.

Keywords

• child
• ambulance
• transport
• emergency department