January 2017 Vol. 5 No.1

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Original Research Article

On-line medical direction (OLMD) occurrence in non-transported emergency medical service (EMS) calls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Daifallah Alrazeeni

V-Dean for Academic Affairs, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz College for EMS, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Chair of Saudi Association for Emergency Medical Services (SAEMS), The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)

*E-mail: dalrazeeni@ksu.edu.sa
Tel: +966(1)4735084 Ext: (400) Fax Ext: (444) Mobile: +966555070033

Accepted January 22, 2017

Abstract

The primary objective of this retrospective descriptive study is to determine the percentage of on-line medical direction (OLMD) contact occurrence and the patients’ chief complaints in non-transported Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from EMS patient care reports (PCRs) of non-transported calls from 10 EMS stations for 3 consecutive months. Overall, 7,178 emergency calls were made to the 10 EMS centers. There were 1,791 non-transported calls. PCRs from cancelled calls, deceased patients, patients not found, and those lacking a station number were excluded. The remaining 1,219 calls satisfied the inclusion criteria. The categories of non-transported calls were medical, trauma, and not specified (NS). Medical cases represented the highest proportion of non-transported calls with 679 cases (55.7%). Trauma cases comprised 271 calls (22.2%), while 269 (22%) non-transported calls were not specified. The chief complaints of non-transported calls were normal medical patient (42.7%), fainting (24%) and shortness of breath (24%). OLMD contact did not occur in the majority of non-transported calls (761, 62.5%). Only 321 calls (26.3%) involved OLMD contact. The occurrence of contact was NS in 137 calls (11.2%). In conclusion, this study reveals that OLMD contact occurred in a limited percentage (26.3%) of non-transported calls. OLMD contact did not occur in the vast majority (62.5%) of non-transported calls. This study recommends the revision of the medical director role and its associated responsibilities, the establishment of a mandatory technological reporting system, a quality review of the non-transported calls’ PCRs, and strict measures regarding patient refusals and/or non-transportation.

Keywords: EMS, non-transported calls, on-line direction