A5 Characteristics of ambulance category B calls. Issue 11 (14th October 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turner, J; Bjarkoy, M
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 28:Issue 11(2011)
• Page Start: e2
• Page End: e2
• Publication Date: 2011-10-14
• Subjects: Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2011-200645.5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : Background: One of the key recommendations of the 2005 policy document "Taking Healthcare to the patient" was that the category B 19-min response standard be replaced with more clinically focused performance measures. Before developing these new measures a clear description of the nature and type of calls within category B was needed in order to understand the case-mix of this group. We have conducted a descriptive observational study of category B ambulance calls. Methods: The study was conducted in two parts. First, a national survey of all ambulance services in England was conducted requesting information on total number of category B calls for 1 year (2007/2008) and the numbers allocated to each AMPDS dispatch category. Secondly, we obtained 2 months of category B call dispatch records and scanned anonymised clinical patient record data from one ambulance service. This information was used to describe clinical acuity and frequency of clinical assessment and interventions. Results: National survey—7/11 ambulance services returned data. We found that 50% of the total category B call volume is accounted for by 5 of the 32 main dispatch categories. Diabetic problems and falls were the main categories. Analyses of clinical data—After removing duplicate records 26 882 cases were used. A quarter (25%) of cases had no assessment or intervention other than basic vital sign measurement, 50% had additional clinical assessment but no intervention and 25% required an intervention. The most frequent intervention was oxygen administration. Only 10% of cases required drugs, airway management or other procedures. Conclusions: Category B calls comprise a population of patients without time dependant conditions and response time is therefore a poor indicator of the quality of care for this patient group.