2015

Parental perception on pediatric ambulance calling

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to analyze the complaints of patients at presentation to Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) via 112 ambulance and the relationship between complaints and age. Patients and Methods: Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, ED presenting complaint, definitive diagnosis requiring hospitalization, month or season of the year at the time of presentation, nationality, age, type of arrival were collected. The reason for calling the ambulance were asked to the parents. The relationship between age and triage areas were evaluated. Results: The most common complaints at presentation included abdominal pain, nause-vomiting, high fever and seizure. Most of the patients were categorized as yellow area patients among different triage areas. The frequency of 112 ambulance calls with complaints of fever was significantly higher in the 0-2 and 2-6 age groups (p<0.001). The complaints of abdominal pain and nausea-vomiting were significantly higher in the age group of >10 years (p<0.001). The frequency of 112 ambulance use was significantly higher among refugees when compared to local residents (p<0.0001). Conclusion: It was found that fever in younger age groups and the abdominal pain and vomiting in older age groups alerted families to call an ambulance. Educating parents about the appropriate use of Emergency Medical Service would make the system more efficient.

Keywords:

Pediatric emergency, Ambulance Child, Emergency Medical Service (EMS),

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ISSN: 1019-1941
Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 3 Sayı
Başlangıç: 1988
Yayıncı: Marmara Üniversitesi

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