Paramedic direct referrals to senior decision maker: is this the way forward? A pilot project in acute general medicine and ambulatory care at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford

Abstract

> Data collected on a single day in ED triage showed 2/43 (4%) of paramedic referrals were seen on AAU, with no patients referred directly to take. On review of the clinical presentations, 16% could have been seen on AAU directly, and 25% could have been seen directly on the medical admissions unit. > Pre-intervention 12% of calls made to the referral phone were from paramedic team, and post intervention that rose to 26% of total calls taken. > Over a 1-week period during the pilot 73% of calls, from paramedics were directed to AAU or medical take, and therefore away from the ED. Only 17% were seen in ED. 10% were directed to other services, including specialties. > The data also suggested that the AAU South Central ambulance service patients rose from 3.8% to 13%, which has been maintained post the pilot week.