Understanding patient non-transport decision theories in the pre-hospital setting: a narrative review

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Review

Abdulqadir Nashwan¹  Imed Gargouri²  James Laughton³  Kawther El Aifa³  Loua Al-Shaikh³  Padarath Gangaram⁴  Hassan Farhat⁵  Guillaume Alinier⁶  Moncef Khadhraoui⁷ 

[1] Department of Nursing, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar;Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia;Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service, Doha, Qatar;Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service, Doha, Qatar;Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, PO Box 1334, 4000, Durban, South Africa;Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service, Doha, Qatar;Faculty of Sciences, University of Sfax, 3000, Sfax, Tunisia;Faculty of Medicine of Sousse “Ibn El Jazzar”, University of Sousse, 4000, Sousse, Tunisia;Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service, Doha, Qatar;School of Health and Social Work, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK;Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar;Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK;Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia;

关键词: Non-conveyance;    Non-transport;    Transport refusal;    Prehospital care;    Ambulance service;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12245-023-00528-7

 received in 2023-06-02, accepted in 2023-08-20,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIn pre-hospital emergency care, decisions regarding patient non-conveyance emerged as significant determinants of healthcare outcomes and resource utilization. These complex decisions became integral to the progress of emergency medical services, thus warranting an evolving exploration within the medical discourse.Objectives and methodsThis narrative review aimed to synthesize and critically evaluate various theoretical stances on patient non-conveyance in the pre-hospital emergency. The focus on studies published between January 2012 and August 2022 was intentional to capture contemporary practices and insights. PubMed and Google Scholar served as the primary databases for the investigation, while the AL-Rayyan® software facilitated a thorough screening process.Results and discussionTwenty-nine studies—encompassing articles, books, and theses—were discovered through our search, each presenting unique perspectives on patient non-transport, thus highlighting its criticality as a healthcare concern. Predominant factors influencing non-transport decisions were classified into patient-initiated refusals (PIR), clinician-initiated decisions (CID), and dispatcher-initiated decisions (DID).ConclusionsThe issue of patient non-conveyance to hospitals continues to pose a crucial challenge to the seamless operation of emergency healthcare systems, warranting increased attention from various healthcare entities. To comprehend and pinpoint potential areas of improvement, a comprehensive analysis of pre-hospital non-transport events is imperative. A well-informed, strategic approach could prevent resource waste while ensuring patients receive the required and definitive care.Key messagesWhy is this topic important?Some studies have suggested that non-transport to hospitals following emergency calls is safe. However, it is a concerning issue for health systems. It is also considered a key performance metric for health systems.What does this review attempt to show?This review aimed to map the various factors discussed in the literature regarding the decisions not to transport patients following emergency calls in a pre-hospital setting.What are the key findings?The existing theories regarding non-transport to hospitals after the provision of emergency care in the pre-hospital setting were identified. Non-transport due to non-clinical decisions jeopardizes emergency care outcomes for paediatric and elderly patients in particular. Hence, further research is required to identify and control the factors governing these decisions.How is patient care impacted?The decisions regarding patient transport following emergency calls in a pre-hospital setting are crucial for patient outcomes. They could impact the pre-hospital emergency care outcomes as well as patient safety. They can also affect the emergency services resources’ ability to respond to other critical emergencies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 10