Effect of a mass media campaign on ambulance use for chest pain

Abstract

A public awareness campaign about responding to prodromal acute myocardial infarction symptoms was associated with an increase in EMS use by people with chest pain and suspected acute coronary syndromes. Campaign activity may also lead to increased EMS use in low risk populations.

The barriers associated with emergency medical service use for acute coronary syndrome: the awareness and influence of an Australian public mass media campaign

“…In another study in population, the Warning Signs campaign was associated with an increase in calls to EMS for chest pain of between 7% and 15% 14. However, it remains unknown if this increase in calls was for true cardiac emergencies, but our results suggest that it may not.…”

“…We have previously reported an association between awareness of this campaign and shorter times in presenting to hospital in patients with ACS 13. A more recent report found an increase in the number of calls to EMS for chest pain during the period in which campaign activity took place; however, it is unknown if these users had ACS14 or if the campaign had an impact on the factors that prevent the use of EMS 14. Therefore, the aims of this study are to investigate the effect of awareness of the 2013 Warning Signs campaign on EMS use and the associated barriers among patients with ACS .…”

Ambulance Services Associated with Extreme Temperatures and Fine Particles in a Subtropical Island

“…Unconsciousness also represented a relatively large proportion of the group requiring emergency medical services 29 . Chest pain was selected because it is involved in a higher frequency of emergency medical services, reaching as high as 14% of calls in the United States 30 . Headache symptoms are the most common disorder and have been reported by approximately 18% of women and 6% of men in the United States 31 .…”

Barriers to the use of emergency medical services for ST‐elevation myocardial infarction: Determining why many patients opt for self‐transport

“…Much of the community level work in knowledge translation has focused on getting people to recognize symptoms of STEMI . The benefit of community level strategies, such as public media campaigns, to improve the uptake of EMS is mixed . Targeted education strategies at the individual level may show more promise in increasing intent to call EMS (eg, Williams et al).…”

“…23 The benefit of community level strategies, such as public media campaigns, to improve the uptake of EMS is mixed. 18,[24][25][26] Targeted education strategies at the individual level may show more promise in increasing intent to call EMS (eg, Williams et al 27 ). The challenge for knowledge translation efforts will be to communicate to those at risk of STEMI that there are significant benefits to accessing EMS beyond speed of transport to hospital that result in optimal care (eg, early STEMI recognition by paramedics, early activation of cardiac catheterization laboratory, bypass to primary percutaneous coronary intervention capable centre, etc.).…”