Lowthian, Judy A., Cameron, Peter, Stoelwinder, Johannes U., Curtis, Andrea J., Currell, Alex, Cooke, Matthew and McNeil, John (2011) Increasing utilisation of emergency ambulances. Australian Health Review, Volume 35 (Number 1). pp. 63-69. doi:10.1071/AH09866 ISSN 0156-5788.
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Abstract
Background. Increased ambulance utilisation is closely linked with Emergency Department (ED) attendances. Pressures on hospital systems are widely acknowledged with ED overcrowding reported regularly in the media and peer-reviewed literature. Strains on ambulance services are less well-documented or studied.
Aims. To review the literature to determine the trends in utilisation of emergency ambulances throughout the developed world and to discuss the major underlying drivers perceived as contributing to this increase.
Method. A search of online databases, search engines, peer-reviewed journals and audit reports was undertaken.
Findings. Ambulance utilisation has increased in many developed countries over the past 20 years. Annual growth rates throughout Australia and the United Kingdom are similar. Population ageing, changes in social support, accessibility and pricing, and increasing community health awareness have been proposed as associated factors. As the extent of their contribution has not yet been established these factors were reviewed.
Conclusion. The continued rise in utilisation of emergency ambulances is placing increasing demands on ambulance services and the wider health system, potentially compromising access, quality, safety and outcomes. A variety of factors may contribute to this increase and targeted strategies to reduce utilisation will require an accurate identification of the major drivers of demand.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Ambulances, Hospitals -- Emergency services |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Australian Health Review |
| Publisher: | C S I R O Publishing |
| ISSN: | 0156-5788 |
| Official Date: | 2011 |
| Dates: | Date Event 2011 Published |
| Volume: | Volume 35 |
| Number: | Number 1 |
| Page Range: | pp. 63-69 |
| DOI: | 10.1071/AH09866 |
| Status: | Peer Reviewed |
| Publication Status: | Published |
| Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access |
| Funder: | National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) (NHMRC) |
| URI: | https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/41636/ |
Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge
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