Parental perception on pediatric ambulance calling

Year 2022, , 88 - 93, 31.01.2022

Feyza Husrevoglu Esen Filiz Tubas

https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.1061162

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to analyze the complaints of patients at presentation to Pediatric Emergency Department (ED)
via 112 ambulance and the relationship between complaints and age.
Patients and Methods: Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, ED presenting complaint, definitive diagnosis requiring
hospitalization, month or season of the year at the time of presentation, nationality, age, type of arrival were collected. The reason for
calling the ambulance were asked to the parents. The relationship between age and triage areas were evaluated.
Results: The most common complaints at presentation included abdominal pain, nause-vomiting, high fever and seizure. Most of the
patients were categorized as yellow area patients among different triage areas. The frequency of 112 ambulance calls with complaints
of fever was significantly higher in the 0-2 and 2-6 age groups (p<0.001). The complaints of abdominal pain and nausea-vomiting
were significantly higher in the age group of >10 years (p<0.001). The frequency of 112 ambulance use was significantly higher among
refugees when compared to local residents (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: It was found that fever in younger age groups and the abdominal pain and vomiting in older age groups alerted families to
call an ambulance. Educating parents about the appropriate use of Emergency Medical Service would make the system more efficient.

Keywords

Pediatric emergency, Ambulance, Child, Emergency Medical Service (EMS)

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