Effects of service changes affecting distance/time to access urgent and emergency care facilities on patient outcomes: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reconfiguration of urgent and emergency care services often increases travel time/distance for patients to reach an appropriate facility. Evidence of the effects of reconfiguration is important for local communities and commissioners and providers of health services.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the evidence regarding effects of service reconfigurations that increase the time/distance for some patients to reach an urgent and emergency care (UEC) facility. We searched seven bibliographic databases from 2000 to February 2019 and used citation tracking and reference lists to identify additional studies. We included studies of any design that compared outcomes for people with conditions requiring emergency treatment before and after service reconfigurat

SUBMITTER: Chambers D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7237240 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature