An analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re-contacts after EMS non-conveyance: a retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands
Abstract Background Non-conveyed patients are a significant population within ambulance care. To gain insight in patient safety for this population, ambulance re-contacts within 72 h are monitored. However, little is known about the background of these non-conveyance cases with a re-contact. This st...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-025-01365-8 |
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| author | Renate F. Speijers Remco H. A. Ebben Ties Eikendal Lobke Ruijs Franciscus G. M. H. M. Cuppen Rien de Vos |
| author_facet | Renate F. Speijers Remco H. A. Ebben Ties Eikendal Lobke Ruijs Franciscus G. M. H. M. Cuppen Rien de Vos |
| author_sort | Renate F. Speijers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Non-conveyed patients are a significant population within ambulance care. To gain insight in patient safety for this population, ambulance re-contacts within 72 h are monitored. However, little is known about the background of these non-conveyance cases with a re-contact. This study aims to investigate the incidence of re-contacts, analyse characteristics, and identify factors associated with re-contacts following non-conveyance. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of all non-conveyance cases and all associated re-contacts in two EMS regions in the Netherlands, Gelderland-Zuid and Gelderland-Midden. Data was collected from 1 January 2022 till 31 December 2022. Characteristics of non-conveyance cases with and without a re-contact within 72 h were compared and differences were analysed univariately. Logistic regression analyses were used to quantify bivariate and multivariable associations between characteristics of non-conveyance cases and EMS re-contact within 72 h. Associations are expressed in odds ratios with 95% confidence interval. Results In the analysis of 19.563 cases, the overall incidence for an EMS re-contact within 72 h was 5.0% (N = 984/19.563), with 3.4% (669/19.563) within 24 h, 1.0% (195/19.563) within 24–48 h and 0.6% (120/19.563) within 48–72 h. In a subset of 13.010 complete cases, significant multivariable associations were observed between re-contacts and age > 65 (OR 2.15, CI 1.82–2.53), male gender (OR 1.39, CI 1.18–1.63), and medical complaints related to specialism 'Pulmonology' (OR 2.45, CI 1.67–3.64), 'Neurology' (OR 1.81, CI 1.28–2.59) and 'Traumatology/surgery’ (OR 0.51, CI 0.34–0.76). Other significant associations were noted with night-time cases (OR 1.49, CI 1.21–1.82) and cases in which consultation or handover to a general practitioner occurred (OR 1.25, CI 1.06–1.47). Conclusions A low overall incidence of EMS re-contacts indicates that non-conveyance within the EMS system is relatively safe. The likelihood of re-contact is higher for age above 65, male gender, and medical complaints within the specialisms of 'Pulmonology' and 'Neurology'. Non-conveyance cases that involve consultation or handover to a GP and cases occurring at night are also more likely to have a re-contact. The findings inform non-conveyance decision-making, and could serve as a starting point to adapt EMS curricula, and develop guidelines and protocols. This may fuel the enhancement of non-conveyance decision-making, thereby improving the quality of healthcare within the EMS system. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc29f4d9eb234472addc64270b5a04d8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1757-7241 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc29f4d9eb234472addc64270b5a04d82025-08-20T02:28:11ZengBMCScandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine1757-72412025-04-0133111110.1186/s13049-025-01365-8An analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re-contacts after EMS non-conveyance: a retrospective cohort study in the NetherlandsRenate F. Speijers0Remco H. A. Ebben1Ties Eikendal2Lobke Ruijs3Franciscus G. M. H. M. Cuppen4Rien de Vos5Emergency Medical Service, Public Health and Safety Region Gelderland-ZuidEmergency Medical Service, Public Health and Safety Region Gelderland-MiddenEmergency Medical Service, Public Health and Safety Region Gelderland-ZuidEmergency Medical Service, Public Health and Safety Region Gelderland-ZuidEmergency Medical Service, Public Health and Safety Region Gelderland-MiddenDepartment of Education and Training, Amsterdam University Medical CenterAbstract Background Non-conveyed patients are a significant population within ambulance care. To gain insight in patient safety for this population, ambulance re-contacts within 72 h are monitored. However, little is known about the background of these non-conveyance cases with a re-contact. This study aims to investigate the incidence of re-contacts, analyse characteristics, and identify factors associated with re-contacts following non-conveyance. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of all non-conveyance cases and all associated re-contacts in two EMS regions in the Netherlands, Gelderland-Zuid and Gelderland-Midden. Data was collected from 1 January 2022 till 31 December 2022. Characteristics of non-conveyance cases with and without a re-contact within 72 h were compared and differences were analysed univariately. Logistic regression analyses were used to quantify bivariate and multivariable associations between characteristics of non-conveyance cases and EMS re-contact within 72 h. Associations are expressed in odds ratios with 95% confidence interval. Results In the analysis of 19.563 cases, the overall incidence for an EMS re-contact within 72 h was 5.0% (N = 984/19.563), with 3.4% (669/19.563) within 24 h, 1.0% (195/19.563) within 24–48 h and 0.6% (120/19.563) within 48–72 h. In a subset of 13.010 complete cases, significant multivariable associations were observed between re-contacts and age > 65 (OR 2.15, CI 1.82–2.53), male gender (OR 1.39, CI 1.18–1.63), and medical complaints related to specialism 'Pulmonology' (OR 2.45, CI 1.67–3.64), 'Neurology' (OR 1.81, CI 1.28–2.59) and 'Traumatology/surgery’ (OR 0.51, CI 0.34–0.76). Other significant associations were noted with night-time cases (OR 1.49, CI 1.21–1.82) and cases in which consultation or handover to a general practitioner occurred (OR 1.25, CI 1.06–1.47). Conclusions A low overall incidence of EMS re-contacts indicates that non-conveyance within the EMS system is relatively safe. The likelihood of re-contact is higher for age above 65, male gender, and medical complaints within the specialisms of 'Pulmonology' and 'Neurology'. Non-conveyance cases that involve consultation or handover to a GP and cases occurring at night are also more likely to have a re-contact. The findings inform non-conveyance decision-making, and could serve as a starting point to adapt EMS curricula, and develop guidelines and protocols. This may fuel the enhancement of non-conveyance decision-making, thereby improving the quality of healthcare within the EMS system.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-025-01365-8Non-conveyanceEmergency medical servicesAmbulancesRe-contacts |
| spellingShingle | Renate F. Speijers Remco H. A. Ebben Ties Eikendal Lobke Ruijs Franciscus G. M. H. M. Cuppen Rien de Vos An analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re-contacts after EMS non-conveyance: a retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine Non-conveyance Emergency medical services Ambulances Re-contacts |
| title | An analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re-contacts after EMS non-conveyance: a retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands |
| title_full | An analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re-contacts after EMS non-conveyance: a retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands |
| title_fullStr | An analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re-contacts after EMS non-conveyance: a retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands |
| title_full_unstemmed | An analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re-contacts after EMS non-conveyance: a retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands |
| title_short | An analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re-contacts after EMS non-conveyance: a retrospective cohort study in the Netherlands |
| title_sort | analysis of characteristics and associated factors for re contacts after ems non conveyance a retrospective cohort study in the netherlands |
| topic | Non-conveyance Emergency medical services Ambulances Re-contacts |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-025-01365-8 |
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