Pre-hospital Care for Suspected Stroke Patients, Cared for by Mobile Emergency Care Units in Northern Minas Gerais

Abstract Background Stroke management require rapid identification, assessment, and transport of patients to qualified health care centers. However, there is little description in the literature on the multiple challenges associated with the pre-hospital transport of suspected stroke patients. Objective To characterize the pre-hospital care provided to suspected stroke patients by the Brazilian Emergency Medical Service (SAMU in Portuguese), by means of a descriptive case study. Methods This is a descriptive study of a series of cases. Data from the SAMU regarding the responses to emergency calls from suspected stroke patients were collected. Independent reviewers confirmed the diagnostic hypothesis and all discordances were assessed using kappa statistics. Clinical data and transport times were described as frequency and proportion or central tendency and dispersion measures. Normality of continuous variable distribution was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of medians, with a 5% significance level. Results During the studied period, 556 suspected stroke patients were treated. The kappa index was 0.82 (95% CI 0.737 to 0.919) CI. In 74.7% of the cases, the symptom onset time was not recorded. The median time elapsed between the call for emergency services and the ambulance arrival was 18 minutes, and the median transport time was 38 minutes. A total of 34% of the patients were taken to referral hospitals for stroke. Conclusion This study revealed a low level of knowledge regarding the need to determine the exact time of symptom onset of suspected stroke patients. Also, the study showed the low rate of patients taken to referral hospitals. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

A mathematical model for efficient ambulance location based on DSM-MALP integration.

Optimal location of medical facilities and vehicles is one of the most crucial aspects of emergency services such that even slight improvements in this regard can save the lives of many people. In the large cities suffering from fluctuating population distribution and traffic congestion, finding the optimal location of ambulance stations can significantly reduce patient mortality due to delay of medical service and thus increase the efficiency of the healthcare sector. This study investigated the current status of ambulance service provided in four districts of Isfahan city (Iran) and assessed the potential for improvement in availability by increasing the number of ambulances and relocating the stations. The main objective of this work is to integrate two ambulance location methods, ie, double standard model (DSM) and maximum availability location problem (MALP), to develop a static probabilistic model, which allows covering radius of stations to be increased according to ambulance availability factor. The efficiency of the developed method was assessed by sensitivity analysis through four different approaches, all indicating an increase in the efficiency compared to the default model.

Two-Tiered Ambulance Dispatch and Redeployment considering Patient Severity Classification Errors.

A two-tiered ambulance system, consisting of advanced and basic life support for emergency and nonemergency patient care, respectively, can provide a cost-efficient emergency medical service. However, such a system requires accurate classification of patient severity to avoid complications. Thus, this study considers a two-tiered ambulance dispatch and redeployment problem in which the average patient severity classification errors are known. This study builds on previous research into the ambulance dispatch and redeployment problem by additionally considering multiple types of patients and ambulances, and patient classification errors. We formulate this dynamic decision-making problem as a semi-Markov decision process and propose a mini-batch monotone-approximate dynamic programming (ADP) algorithm to solve the problem within a reasonable computation time. Computational experiments using realistic system dynamics based on historical data from Seoul reveal that the proposed approach and algorithm reduce the risk level index (RLI) for all patients by an average of 11.2% compared to the greedy policy. In this numerical study, we identify the influence of certain system parameters such as the percentage of advanced-life support units among all ambulances and patient classification errors. A key finding is that an increase in undertriage rates has a greater negative effect on patient RLI than an increase in overtriage rates. The proposed algorithm delivers an efficient two-tiered ambulance management strategy. Furthermore, our findings could provide useful guidelines for practitioners, enabling them to classify patient severity in order to minimize undertriage rates.

Prehospital time and mortality in patients requiring a highest priority emergency medical response: a Danish registry-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between time from emergency medical service vehicle dispatch to hospital arrival and 1-day and 30-day mortality. DESIGN: Register-based cohort study. SETTING: North Denmark Region (≈8000 km2, catchment population ≈600 000). PARTICIPANTS: We included all highest priority dispatched ambulance transports in North Denmark Region in 2006-2012. INTERVENTIONS: Using logistic regression and the g-formula approach, we examined the association between time from emergency dispatch to hospital arrival and mortality for presumed heart, respiratory, cerebrovascular and other presumed medical conditions, as well as traffic or other accidents, as classified by emergency dispatch personnel. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1-day and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Among 93 167 individuals with highest priority ambulances dispatched, 1948 (2.1%) were dead before the ambulance arrived and 19 968 (21.4%) were transported to the hospital under highest priority (median total prehospital time from dispatch to hospital arrival 47 min (25%-75%: 35-60 min); 95th percentile 84 min). Among 18 709 with population data, 1-day mortality was 10.9% (n=2038), and was highest for patients with dyspnoea (20.4%) and lowest for patients with traffic accidents (2.8%). Thirty-day mortality was 18.3% and varied between 36.6% (patients with dyspnoea) and 3.7% (traffic accidents). One-day mortality was not associated with total prehospital time, except for presumed heart conditions, where longer prehospital time was associated with decreased mortality: adjusted OR for >60 min vs 0-30 min was 0.61 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.91). For patients with dyspnoea, OR for >60 min vs 0-30 min was 0.90 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.45), for presumed cerebrovascular conditions OR 1.41 (95% CI 0.53 to 3.78), for other presumed medical conditions OR 0.84 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.02), for traffic accidents OR 0.65 (95% CI 0.29 to 1.48) and for other accidents OR 0.84 (95% CI 0.47 to 1.51). Similar findings were found for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, where time from emergency dispatch to hospital arrival mainly was <80 min, there was no overall relation between this prehospital time measure and mortality.

Improving ambulance coverage in a mixed urban-rural region in Norway using mathematical modeling.

BACKGROUND: Ambulance services play a crucial role in providing pre-hospital emergency care. In order to ensure quick responses, the location of the bases, and the distribution of available ambulances among these bases, should be optimized. In mixed urban-rural areas, this optimization typically involves a trade-off between backup coverage in high-demand urban areas and single coverage in rural low-demand areas. The aim of this study was to find the optimal distribution of bases and ambulances in the Vestfold region of Norway in order to optimize ambulance coverage. METHOD: The optimal location of bases and distribution of ambulances was estimated using the Maximum Expected Covering Location Model. A wide range of parameter settings were fitted, with the number of ambulances ranging from 1 to 15, and an average ambulance utilization of 0, 15, 35 and 50%, corresponding to the empirical numbers for night, afternoon and day, respectively. We performed the analysis both conditioned on the current base structure, and in a fully greenfield scenario. RESULTS: Four of the five current bases are located close to the mathematical optimum, with the exception of the northernmost base, in the rural part of the region. Moving this base, along with minor changes to the location of the four other bases, coverage can be increased from 93.46% to 97.51%. While the location of the bases is insensitive to the workload of the system, the distribution of the ambulances is not. The northernmost base should only be used if enough ambulances are available, and this required minimum number increases significantly with increasing system workload. CONCLUSION: As the load of the system increases, focus of the model shifts from providing single coverage in low-demand areas to backup coverage in high-demand areas. The classification rule for urban and rural areas significantly affects results and must be evaluated accordingly.

Transportation capacity for patients with highly infectious diseases in Europe: a survey in 16 nations.

Highly infectious diseases (HIDs) are defined as being transmissible from person to person, causing life-threatening illnesses and presenting a serious public health hazard. In most European Union member states specialized isolation facilities are responsible for the management of such cases. Ground ambulances are often affiliated with those facilities because rapid relocation of patients is most desirable. To date, no pooled data on the accessibility, technical specifications and operational procedures for such transport capacities are available. During 2009, the 'European Network for HIDs' conducted a cross-sectional analysis of hospitals responsible for HID patients in Europe including an assessment of (a) legal aspects; (b) technical and infrastructure aspects; and (c) operational procedures for ground ambulances used for HID transport. Overall, 48 isolation facilities in 16 European countries were evaluated and feedback rates ranged from 78% to 100% (n = 37 to n = 48 centres). Only 46.8% (22/47) of all centres have both national and local guidelines regulating HID patient transport. If recommended, specific equipment is found in 90% of centres (9/10), but standard ambulances in only 6/13 centres (46%). Exclusive entrances (32/45; 71%) and pathways (30/44; 68.2%) for patient admission, as well as protocols for disinfection of ambulances (34/47; 72.3%) and equipment (30/43; 69.8%) exist in most centres. In conclusion, the availability and technical specifications of ambulances broadly differ, reflecting different preparedness levels within the European Union. Hence, regulations for technical specifications and operational procedures should be harmonized to promote patient and healthcare worker safety.

Ambulance Density and Outcomes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), geographic disparities in outcomes may reflect baseline variations in patients' characteristics but may also result from differences in the number of ambulances providing basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS). We aimed at assessing the association between allocated ambulance resources and outcomes in OHCA patients in a large urban community. METHODS: From May 2011 to January 2016, we analyzed a prospectively collected Utstein database for all OHCA adults. Cases were geocoded according to 19 neighborhoods and the number of BLS (firefighters performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and applying automated external defibrillator) and ALS ambulances (medicalized team providing advanced care such as drugs and endotracheal intubation) was collected. We assessed the respective associations of Utstein parameters, socioeconomic characteristics, and ambulance resources of these neighborhoods using a mixed-effect model with successful return of spontaneous circulation as the primary end point and survival at hospital discharge as a secondary end point. RESULTS: During the study period, 8754 nontraumatic OHCA occurred in the Greater Paris area. Overall return of spontaneous circulation rate was 3675 of 8754 (41.9%) and survival rate at hospital discharge was 788 of 8754 (9%), ranging from 33% to 51.1% and from 4.4% to 14.5% respectively, according to neighborhoods ( P<0.001). Patient and socio-demographic characteristics significantly differed between neighborhoods ( P for trend <0.001). After adjustment, a higher density of ambulances was associated with successful return of spontaneous circulation (respectively adjusted odds-ratio [aOR], 1.31 [1.14-1.51]; P<0.001 for ALS ambulances >1.5 per neighborhood and aOR, 1.21 [1.04-1.41]; P=0.01 for BLS ambulances >4 per neighborhood). Regarding survival at discharge, only the number of ALS ambulances >1.5 per neighborhood was significant (aOR, 1.30 [1.06-1.59] P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In this large urban population-based study of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests patients, we observed that allocated resources of emergency medical service are associated with outcome, suggesting that improving healthcare organization may attenuate disparities in prognosis.

Qualitative evaluation of trauma delays in road traffic injury patients in Maringá, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the eighth leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 90% of RTIs occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Brazil. There has been minimal research in evaluation of delays in transport of RTI patients to trauma centers in LMICs. The objective of this study is to determine specific causes of delays in prehospital transport of road traffic injury patients to designated trauma centers in Maringá, Brazil. METHODS: A qualitative method was used based on the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) approach. Eleven health care providers employed at prehospital or hospital settings were interviewed with questions specific to delays in care for RTI patients. A thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Responses to primary causes of delay in treatment to RTI patients fell into the following categories: 1) lack of public education, 2) traffic, 3) insufficient personnel/ambulances, 4) bureaucracy, and 5) poor location of stations. Suggestions for improvement in delays fell into the categories of 1) need for centralized station/avoid traffic, 2) improving public education, 3) Increase personnel, 4) increase ambulances, 5) proper extrication/rapid treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study found varied responses between hospital and SAMU providers regarding specific causes of delay for RTI patients; SAMU providers cited primarily traffic, bureaucracy, and poor location as primary factors while hospital employees focused more on public health aspects. These results mirror prehospital system challenges in other developing countries, but also provide solutions for improvement with better infrastructure and public health campaigns.

An environmental scan of emergency response systems and services in remote First Nations communities in Northern Ontario.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 24,000 Ontarians live in remote Indigenous communities with no road access. These communities are a subset of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political grouping of 49 First Nations communities in Northern Ontario, Canada. Limited information is available regarding the status of emergency care in these communities. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to understand emergency response systems, services, and training in remote NAN communities. DESIGN: We used an environmental scan approach to compile information from multiple sources including community-based participatory research. This included the analysis of data collected from key informant interviews (n=10) with First Nations community health leaders and a multi-stakeholder roundtable meeting (n=33) in October 2013. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis of the interview data revealed four issues related to emergency response systems and training: (1) inequity in response capacity and services, (2) lack of formalised dispatch systems, (3) turnover and burnout in volunteer emergency services, and (4) challenges related to first aid training. Roundtable stakeholders supported the development of a community-based emergency care system to address gaps. CONCLUSIONS: Existing first response, paramedical, and ambulance service models do not meet the unique geographical, epidemiological and cultural needs in most NAN communities. Sustainable, context-appropriate, and culturally relevant emergency care systems are needed.

Provision of essential health package in public hospitals: a case of Homabay County hospitals, Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: Essential Health Packages (EHP) delivery is likely to strengthen service delivery. Healthcare utilization rate is 77% for the sick. 44% and 18% who don't seek care are hindered by cost and distance respectively. The overall child mortality rate in Kenya is 121/1000. In Homabay County, child mortality rate is 91/1000, and maternal mortality rate of 583/100000. The study looked into the provision of EHP in public hospitals in Homabay County. METHODS: Cross-sectional research design was used. Two hospitals were conveniently due to their municipality location. The study targeted 213 Health workers and 350 patients. Stratified sampling and proportionate sampling was used among different health workers. Sample size was determined by Yamane Formula. The study sampled 138 health workers and 186 patients. Questionnaire and key interview guide were used to collect data. RESULTS: There are inadequate health workers based on 138 (100%) health workers. Insufficient drugs were reported by 138 (100%) health workers, and 120 (64.5%) patients. 115 (83.3%) health workers say ambulances are not operational. 26 (18.8%) health workers noted lack medical equipment, 138 (100%) are aware of patients referred elsewhere due to lack of medical equipment. 153 (82.3%) and 135 (72.6%) patients' health access is hindered by cost and distance respectively. 159 (85.5%) patients don't always find services needed. 159 (85.5%) patients affected by long waiting time. CONCLUSION: Low service provision/utilization rate in Homabay County results from lack of health workers, inadequate drugs, poor health infrastructure, and lack of access in terms of affordability, availability and distance.

The meaning of being triaged to non-emergency ambulance care as experienced by patients.

BACKGROUND: The levels of care in the Swedish healthcare system comprise self-care, primary care as well as accident and emergency care. The Swedish system of specialist ambulance nurses enables referral by prehospital triage. However, little is known about patients' experiences of not being triaged to the emergency department. AIM: To explore the subjective meaning of non-emergency ambulance care among patients who were triaged to levels of care below that of the Accident and Emergency Department. APPROACH/METHODS: An inductive design inspired by phenomenological hermeneutics. Twelve patients were interviewed using an open-ended method. FINDINGS: Two structural analyses resulted in three themes covering the subjective meaning of being taken seriously or not being taken seriously. When taken seriously, the patient was empowered irrespective of the outcome of the medical assessment and triage process. When not taken seriously the patient doubted her/his own judgement and felt guilty and ashamed about bothering the ambulance service. CONCLUSION: N-EAC involves a strong need to be taken seriously and listened to when describing one's illness experience. When taken seriously, the patient feels as a competent person. Spending time with the patient is vital as well as listening to and inviting her/him to participate in the decision-making process. However not being taken seriously constitutes an infringement of personal autonomy.

Factors affecting the ambulance response times of trauma incidents in Singapore.

OBJECTIVES: Time to definitive care is important for trauma outcomes, thus many emergency medical services (EMS) systems in the world adopt response times of ambulances as a key performance indicator. The objective of this study is to examine the underlying risk factors that can affect ambulance response times (ART) for trauma incidents, so as to derive interventional measures that can improve the ART. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on two years of trauma data obtained from the national EMS operations centre of Singapore. Trauma patients served by the national EMS provider over the period from 1 January 2011 till 31 December 2012 were included. ART was categorized into "Short" (<4min), "Intermediate" (4-8min) and "Long" (>8min) response times. A modelling framework which leveraged on both multinomial logistic (MNL) regression models and Bayesian networks was proposed for the identification of main and interaction effects. RESULTS: Amongst the process-related risk factors, weather, traffic and place of incident were found to be significant. The traffic conditions on the roads were found to have the largest effect-the odds ratio (OR) of "Long" ART in heavy traffic condition was 12.98 (95% CI: 10.66-15.79) times higher than that under light traffic conditions. In addition, the ORs of "Long ART" under "Heavy Rain" condition were significantly higher (OR 1.58, 95% CI: 1.26-1.97) than calls responded under "Fine" weather. After accounting for confounders, the ORs of "Long" ART for trauma incidents at "Home" or "Commercial" locations were also significantly higher than that for "Road" incidents. CONCLUSION: Traffic, weather and the place of incident were found to be significant in affecting the ART. The evaluation of factors affecting the ART enables the development of effective interventions for reducing the ART.

Improved outcome in Sweden after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and possible association with improvements in every link in the chain of survival.

AIMS: To describe out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Sweden from a long-term perspective in terms of changes in outcome and circumstances at resuscitation. METHODS AND RESULTS: All cases of OHCA (n = 59,926) reported to the Swedish Cardiac Arrest Register from 1992 to 2011 were included. The number of cases reported (n/100,000 person-years) increased from 27 (1992) to 52 (2011). Crew-witnessed cases, cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to the arrival of the emergency medical service (EMS), and EMS response time increased (P < 0.0001). There was a decrease in the delay from collapse to calling for the EMS in all patients and from collapse to defibrillation among patients found in ventricular fibrillation (P < 0.0001). The proportion of patients found in ventricular fibrillation decreased from 35 to 25% (P < 0.0001). Thirty-day survival increased from 4.8 (1992) to 10.7% (2011) (P < 0.0001), particularly among patients found in a shockable rhythm and patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at hospital admission. Among patients hospitalized with ROSC in 2008-2011, 41% underwent therapeutic hypothermia and 28% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Among 30-day survivors in 2008-2011, 94% had a cerebral performance category score of 1 or 2 at discharge from hospital and the results were even better if patients were found in a shockable rhythm. CONCLUSION: From a long-term perspective, 30-day survival after OHCA in Sweden more than doubled. The increase in survival was most marked among patients found in a shockable rhythm and those hospitalized with ROSC. There were improvements in all four links in the chain of survival, which might explain the improved outcome.

Time-dependent ambulance allocation considering data-driven empirically required coverage.

Empirical studies considering the location and relocation of emergency medical service (EMS) vehicles in an urban region provide important insight into dynamic changes during the day. Within a 24-hour cycle, the demand, travel time, speed of ambulances and areas of coverage change. Nevertheless, most existing approaches in literature ignore these variations and require a (temporally and spatially) fixed (double) coverage of the planning area. Neglecting these variations and fixation of the coverage could lead to an inaccurate estimation of the time-dependent fleet size and individual positioning of ambulances. Through extensive data collection, now it is possible to precisely determine the required coverage of demand areas. Based on data-driven optimization, a new approach is presented, maximizing the flexible, empirically determined required coverage, which has been adjusted for variations due to day-time and site. This coverage prevents the EMS system from unavailability of ambulances due to parallel operations to ensure an improved coverage of the planning area closer to realistic demand. An integer linear programming model is formulated in order to locate and relocate ambulances. The use of such a programming model is supported by a comprehensive case study, which strongly suggests that through such a model, these objectives can be achieved and lead to greater cost-effectiveness and quality of emergency care.

Satisfacción laboral de los médicos de Unidades Móviles de Emergencia y del Centro Coordinador de la Gerencia de Urgencias y Emergencias 061. Región de Murcia / Professional satisfaction for doctors of the Mobile Emergency Team and the Emergency Coordinator Office 061. Region of Murcia

Objetivo: Analizar el fenómeno de la satisfacción de la vida laboral de los profesionales médicos de las Unidades Móviles de Emergencia y del Centro Coordinador de Urgencias del 061 de la Región de Murcia. Material y método: Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal realizado al personal médico de la Gerencia de Urgencias y Emergencias 061 de la Región de Murcia. La recogida de datos se realizó en diciembre de 2013 y enero de 2014. Se utilizó como instrumento la NTP 394: Satisfacción laboral: escala general de satisfacción. Análisis de datos: pruebas no paramétricas para 2 muestras o k muestras según la comparación. Resultados: Se obtuvo una tasa de participación del 88,2%. En relación con la satisfacción laboral general, la media de los participantes se sitúa en 69,5 (DT = 14,4). De los 15 ítems que componen el cuestionario, los «compañeros de trabajo» constituyen el factor en el que los médicos se encuentran más satisfechos, señalando que hasta un 87% muestran valoraciones positivas en este punto. El segundo aspecto más valorado por los encuestados es su «estabilidad en el empleo» con un porcentaje de valoraciones positivas del 76,7%. Conclusiones: Los principales hallazgos dejan patente la importancia de las relaciones interpersonales y el potencial humano como pilar básico en el ejercicio de la actividad laboral de los profesionales sanitarios (AU)

Objective: The objective was to analyze the phenomenon of work satisfaction of doctors of the Mobile Emergency Team and the Emergency Coordinator Office 061 of the Region of Murcia. Material and method: An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study of development carried out with the medical staff of the Casualty and Emergency Operations Department 061 of the Region of Murcia. Data collection was carried out in December 2013 and January 2014. NTP 394 was used. Work satisfaction: general satisfaction scale. Data analysis: nonparametric tests for 2 samples or k samples depending on type of comparison. Results: A participation rate of 88.2% was obtained, in relation to the general job satisfaction, the average of the participants was 69.55 (SD = 14.4). Of the 15 items that make up the questionnaire, «work colleagues» is the factor with which doctors are more satisfied with, indicating that up to an 87%, show a positive assessment on this point. Being the second aspect most respondents valued their «job stability» with a percentage of positive ratings of 76.7%. Conclusions: The main findings clearly demonstrate the importance of inter-professional relations and human potential as the cornerstone in the exercise of the activity of healthcare professionals (AU)

Reducing ambulance response times using discrete event simulation.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to develop a discrete-event simulation (DES) model for the Singapore Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and to demonstrate the utility of this DES model for the evaluation of different policy alternatives to improve ambulance response times. METHODS: A DES model was developed based on retrospective emergency call data over a continuous 6-month period in Singapore. The main outcome measure is the distribution of response times. The secondary outcome measure is ambulance utilization levels based on unit hour utilization (UHU) ratios. The DES model was used to evaluate different policy options in order to improve the response times, while maintaining reasonable fleet utilization. RESULTS: Three policy alternatives looking at the reallocation of ambulances, the addition of new ambulances, and alternative dispatch policies were evaluated. Modifications of dispatch policy combined with the reallocation of existing ambulances were able to achieve response time performance equivalent to that of adding 10 ambulances. The median (90th percentile) response time was 7.08 minutes (12.69 minutes). Overall, this combined strategy managed to narrow the gap between the ideal and existing response time distribution by 11-13%. Furthermore, the median UHU under this combined strategy was 0.324 with an interquartile range (IQR) of 0.047 versus a median utilization of 0.285 (IQR of 0.051) resulting from the introduction of additional ambulances. CONCLUSIONS: Response times were shown to be improved via a more effective reallocation of ambulances and dispatch policy. More importantly, the response time improvements were achieved without a reduction in the utilization levels and additional costs associated with the addition of ambulances. We demonstrated the effective use of DES as a versatile platform to model the dynamic system complexities of Singapore's national EMS systems for the evaluation of operational strategies to improve ambulance response times.

[Emergency medical services for the elderly: present fact and future challenge].

The Tokyo Fire Department (TFD) ambulance units are transporting more people than ever before with elderly patients on the increase. The TFD then set up the Emergency Telephone Consultation Center in 2007 to help citizens properly use EMS services, asking non-emergency cases to go to the hospital by themselves or sending the ambulance to serious cases. Transportation of all "home patients" (receiving medical services at home, not in the hospital) by fire department ambulances would leave really serious patients behind. Consequently, it is important to make the most of private sector ambulances and hospital ones. For community life safety, making the most of local resources, as well as the fire department-hospital cooperation, is much more needed now.

Territorios insulares y unidades de soporte vital avanzado / Insular territories and advanced life support units

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