Shaw, Deborah, Dyas, Jane V., Middlemass, Jo , Spaight, Anne, Briggs, Maureen, Christopher, Sarah and Siriwardena, A. Niroshan (2006) Are they really refusing to travel? A qualitative study of prehospital records. BMC Emergency Medicine, 6 (1). p. 8. ISSN 1471-227X
Full content URL: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/6/8
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Item Type: | Article |
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Item Status: | Live Archive |
Abstract
Background
Refusal by the patient to travel after calling an emergency ambulance may lead to a preventable waste of scarce resources if it can be shown that an alternative more appropriate response could be employed. A greater understanding is required of the reasons behind 'refusal to travel' (RTT) in order to find appropriate solutions to address this issue. We sought to investigate the reasons why patients refuse to travel following emergency call-out in a rural county.
Methods
Written records made by ambulance crews for patients (n = 397) who were not transported to hospital following an emergency call-out during October 2004 were retrospectively analysed.
Results
Twelve main themes emerged for RTT which included non injury or minor injury, falls and recovery after treatment on scene; other themes included alternative supervision, follow-up and treatment arrangements or patients arranging their own transport. Importantly, only 8% of the sample was recorded by ambulance crews as truly refusing to travel against advice.
Conclusion
A system that facilitates standardised recording of RTT information including social reasons for non-transportation needs to be designed. 'Refused to travel' disclaimers need to reflect instances when crew and patient are satisfied that not going to hospital is the right outcome. These recommendations should be considered within the context of the plans for widening the role of ambulance services.
Keywords: | Health care |
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Subjects: | L Social studies > L510 Health & Welfare |
Divisions: | College of Social Science > School of Health & Social Care |
ID Code: | 11796 |
Deposited On: | 04 Sep 2013 14:08 |
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