Open AccessComparison of Emergency Medical Services Duration amid Routine Service for COVID-19 Patients
Author(s) -
Korakot Apiratwarakul,
Takaaki Suzuki,
İsmet Çelebi,
Kamonwon Ienghong,
Thanat Tangpaisarn,
Somsak Tiamkao,
Vajarabhongsa Bhudhisawasdi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
open access macedonian journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.288
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 1857-9655
DOI - 10.3889/oamjms.2021.5953
Subject(s) - medicine , covid-19 , emergency medical services , duration (music) , medical emergency , emergency medicine , outbreak , virology , disease , art , literature , infectious disease (medical specialty)
BACKGROUND: Concerning the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand, the number of patients has been increasing. Emergency medical services (EMS) operating duration differs from normal services due to equipment preparation, number of personnel, and on-board ambulance procedures. Notably, there have been no studies examining EMS duration regarding COVID-19 patients.AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the EMS time for COVID-19 patients and routine services.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Information gathering was carried out by employing the Srinagarind Hospital EMS database throughout January 1, 2020, and February 10, 2021.RESULTS: A total of 2420 EMS operations were examined, of which five tested positive for COVID-19 (0.21%). The mean age of the COVID-19 patients was 35.6 ± 7.2 years, with the activation interval for COVID-19 and routine services at 64.20 ± 10.14 and 1.42 ± 0.42 min, respectively (p < 0.001). The on-scene time for COVID-19 and routine services was 3.20 ± 0.44 and 5.20 ± 2.20 min, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: EMS operating time amid the activation interval for COVID-19 patients was significantly longer than in the normal group. However, on-scene time for COVID-19 patients was less time than in normal operations.