Article Text
Abstract
Objectives—To assess the degree of appropriate referral to the accident and emergency (A&E) department following the use of a community alarm where a mobile warden works in conjunction with the community alarm control centre.
Methods—611 consecutive calls using community alarms underwent assessment and the appropriateness of referral to the A&E department was considered.
Results—Of 542 requests for help 44 patients were transported to the A&E department (8.1%). Twenty nine patients were admitted (5.3%) and 15 patients (2.8%) discharged home from the A&E department after assessment or treatment, or both. Only three patients (0.55%) had been referred to the A&E department inappropriately.
Conclusions—This study shows that where a mobile warden works in conjunction with the community alarm control centre the number of inappropriate referrals to the A&E department should be minimal.
- community alarm
- social alarm
- personal emergency response system
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Footnotes
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Funding: none.
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Conflicts of interest: none.