Describing and predicting frequent callers to an ambulance service: analysis of 1 year call data

Abstract

Frequent callers to YAS were a heterogeneous group that differed from the overall population served, resulting in numerous implications for the delivery of services for this group of patients. Further research is required to determine if and how frequent callers differ from frequent attenders at emergency departments.

Frequent callers to the ambulance service: patient profiling and impact of case management on patient utilisation of the ambulance service

“…This is consistent with the previous literature, which suggests that one characteristic of frequent callers to the ambulance service may be presenting complaints related to suicide, psychological and/or behavioural problems 9 11 12. The high proportion of calls from patients with mental health problems may be due to patients experiencing particular difficulties in accessing appropriate community-based services and/or comorbidities with chronic physical health conditions since an estimated 46% of people with a mental problem have a chronic physical condition 21…”

“…Frequent callers to the ambulance service appear to be a heterogenous group, consistent with the findings of previous studies 12. Similarly, there is a striking similarity between the profiles of frequent callers to the ambulance service and frequent users of the ED 16.…”

“…A recent study by Scott et al 12 characterised the top 100 frequent callers to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service over a 1-year period. Frequent callers were found to be a heterogeneous group.…”

Factores asociados a las demandas psiquiátricas a los servicios de urgencias prehospitalarios de Málaga (España)

“…Cuddeback et al 8 observaron que la mayoría de los traslados en ambulancia estaban asociados con el abuso de sustancias pero éstos eran los que menos quedaban ingresados en el hospital, siendo los trastornos del estado de ánimo y la esquizofrenia los que finalizaban más frecuentemente en ingreso. También se ha relacionado la hiperfrecuentación y el mal uso de los servicios de urgencias con los trastornos mentales, 9 el abuso de sustancias 10 y las dificultades socioeconómicas 11 y se han propuesto distintas iniciativas con el fin de mejorar esta situación.…”

Frequent attendance at the emergency department is a symptom but not a disease

“…Ambulance services in particular are challenged by some patients who call frequently and have introduced a number of strategies for managing this workload and reducing subsequent calls 17. One service estimates the costs of such callers to be £11 million per annum 18…”