Why do paramedics choose to bring patients to a private emergency department?

OBJECTIVE: While prior experience, favourable location and anticipation of high quality care are known to influence patient choice to attend a private ED, it is likely that decision-making is also influenced by other persons. In particular, patients arriving by ambulance are under the care of paramedics, whose values towards healthcare and rationale for choosing one ED over another have not been studied. This study aimed to describe reasons why paramedics choose to bring patients to a private ED. METHODS: Exploratory, qualitative study using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with paramedics bringing patients to a private ED from the community. Two primary questions reinforced by structured prompts were asked: 'Why did you choose to come to this emergency department?' and 'What are your general expectations of this emergency department visit?' Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Fifty paramedics were interviewed with 48 interviews able to be transcribed and used in analysis. Four factors were identified to increase the likelihood of a private ED destination: specific direction, institutional allegiance, hospital logistics and systems and receiving hospital service ethos. CONCLUSIONS: Paramedics take into consideration when possible patient's wishes and are more likely to bring a patient to a private ED if they have specific direction from the patient or the patient's family or GP. The likelihood of presenting to a private ED is increased if the patient has an allegiance with the facility and the paramedics perceive favourably the hospital logistics and systems as well as service ethos.

Why do patients choose to attend a private emergency department?

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the reasons patients decide to attend a particular acute care service, and their expectations of that service, is important in providing optimal patient care. The present study aimed to determine factors influencing patient decisions to attend a private Australian ED, an issue that has not been previously addressed in the literature. METHODS: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews with ED patients, purposively sampled to broadly reflect the departmental caseload and casemix. The two primary questions asked were: 'Why did you choose to come to this emergency department?' and 'What are your general expectations of this emergency department visit?'. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then analysed using manifest and then latent content analysis techniques. RESULTS: All patients approached (n = 30) agreed to interview. Four key themes were identified: prior experience of the hospital, convenient location of the hospital, anticipated high-quality care and anticipated short wait times. CONCLUSIONS: Patients chose to use the private ED because of prior experience, proximity, and an expectation they would be seen promptly and be provided with competent care.