How do emergency departments respond to ambulance pre-alert calls? A qualitative exploration of the management of pre-alerts in UK emergency departments.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Calls to emergency departments (EDs) from ambulances to alert them to a critical case being transported to that facility that requires a special response ('pre-alerts') have been shown to improve outcomes for patients requiring immediate time-critical treatment (eg, stroke). However, little is known about their usefulness for other patients and the processes involved in ED responses to them. This study aimed to understand how pre-alerts influence patient care in the ED.

Methods

We undertook non-participant observation (162 hours, 143 pre-alerts) and semi-structured interviews with staff (n=40) in six UK EDs between August 2022 and April 2023 focusing on how ED staff respond to pre-alert calls and what influences their response. Observation notes and interview tran

SUBMITTER: Long J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11874362 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature