Journal article
Factors associated with mode of transport to acute care hospitals in rural communities
The Journal of emergency medicine, Vol.24(2), pp.189-198
2003
DOI: 10.1016/S0736-4679(02)00724-2
PMID: 12609651
Abstract
This study identifies factors associated with mode of transport to rural hospitals. We evaluated 11,541 trauma patient visits that came by ground ambulance or private vehicle to the Emergency Department of one of six northwest Iowa rural hospitals. We performed univariate analyses and logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with mode of transport for each severity level (fatal, major and minor). For major/fatal injuries, we found that those aged 65 years and over were 3.6 (95% CI = 2.7–4.9) times more likely to use ambulances than those under 15. Motor vehicle traffic injuries and hip fractures were also associated with ambulance usage, while arm fractures and farm-related injuries were not. We conclude that for major/fatal injuries, older persons, those injured from high velocity causes, and those with hip fractures are more likely to use an ambulance. Emergency Medical Services may improve the community’s ambulance utilization by providing public education (e.g., proper use of 911 and injury severity recognition), and by collaborating with dispatch, the local community and health care providers. Further study of the community’s and individuals’ decision-making factors determining mode of transportation is needed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Factors associated with mode of transport to acute care hospitals in rural communities
- Creators
- Tracy Young - University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USAJames C Torner - University of Iowa, Department of Epidemiology, Iowa City, Iowa, USAKristen C Sihler - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Surgery, Iowa City, Iowa, USAAlfred R Hansen - University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Surgery and Program in Emergency Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USACorinne Peek-Asa - University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USACraig Zwerling - University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of emergency medicine, Vol.24(2), pp.189-198
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0736-4679(02)00724-2
- PMID
- 12609651
- NLM abbreviation
- J Emerg Med
- ISSN
- 0736-4679
- eISSN
- 2352-5029
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2003
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Emergency Medicine; Surgery; Nursing; Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Neurosurgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984214700202771
Metrics
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