Characteristics of consecutive versus non-consecutive frequent emergency medical services transport to a single emergency department

Objective: This study was to examine characteristics concerning frequent users of emergency medical services (EMS) transport by comparing patients who used EMS transport frequently for one year and those who used EMS transport for more than two years consecutively. Methods: A retrospective review for frequent use of EMS transport was conducted. The patients from the fire stations that transported more than 70% of all EMS transport to the study hospital emergency department (ED) were included. The study subjects were divided into consecutive group (frequent EMS transport for ≥ two years consecutively) and non-consecutive group (frequent EMS transport for only one year). Characteristics of patients who were frequent users of EMS transport and those of all cases with EMS transport were examined. Results: Of the total 205 patients and 1204 cases of frequent EMS transport, 85 (42%) patients and 755 (63%) cases were in the consecutive group. Patients in the consecutive group were more likely to have risky alcohol use, unemployed state, and medical aid type of payment for ED treatment than those in the non-consecutive group. More patients had previous experience of EMS transport to the study hospital ED in the consecutive group and the number of cases with alcohol ingestion was higher in the consecutive group. Elapsed time from EMS call to ED arrival was longer for the consecutive group. Conclusion: Risky alcohol use, unemployed state, and previous experience of EMS transport were associated with consecutive and frequent use of EMS transport in frequent users of EMS transport.