Open AccessRe-contact demographics and clinical characteristics of diabetic patients treated for a hypoglycaemic episode in the pre-hospital environment: a rapid literature review
Author(s) -
Karl Bloomer
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
british paramedic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1478-4726
DOI - 10.29045/14784726.2019.09.4.2.10
Subject(s) - cinahl , medicine , medline , critical appraisal , referral , cochrane library , demographics , family medicine , medical emergency , emergency medical services , emergency medicine , alternative medicine , nursing , psychological intervention , demography , pathology , sociology , political science , law
Diabetes mellitus has been referred to as an 'epidemic' and the World Health Organization reported 422 million people with the disease in 2014. Hypoglycaemia is common among emergency presentations, yet understanding around the utilisation of emergency medical services (EMS) for this is incomplete.Ambulance service referral pathways for those suitable to be treated in the community have been developed as a means of managing this growing demand. However, there is limited evidence to suggest how they should be constructed or implemented.The aim of this review was to examine patients who re-contacted the health services following EMS non-transport for a hypoglycaemic episode and to determine if risk factors could be identified.