@article {Gray727, author = {J T Gray and J Wardrope}, title = {Introduction of non-transport guidelines into an ambulance service: a retrospective review}, volume = {24}, number = {10}, pages = {727--729}, year = {2007}, doi = {10.1136/emj.2007.048850}, publisher = {British Association for Accident and Emergency Medicine}, abstract = {Background: Recent government policy has looked at improving the role of ambulance services in delivering alternative care models for patients.Objective: To review the outcomes of the introduction of some specific non-transport guidelines into an ambulance service.Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of the documentation produced from the use of these protocols in the first 4 months following introduction for appropriateness of use, and potential for risk of adverse outcome.Results: Of 354 uses of the guidelines, 140 (39.5\%) were considered inappropriate. A large number of these were cases where the issue was refusal of transport rather than a use of the guideline. Of the rest the more focused guidelines showed better adherence (hypoglycaemia 2/69 inappropriate, epilepsy 1/23 inappropriate) than the more non-specific guidelines (no apparent injury 17/84 inappropriate, minor limb injury 28/58 inappropriate).Conclusions: This short study suggests that focused guidelines can help support ambulance staff decision making; however, care must be taken to ensure safe practice and that these guidelines are not used to add legitimacy to poor practice.}, issn = {1472-0205}, URL = {https://emj.bmj.com/content/24/10/727}, eprint = {https://emj.bmj.com/content/24/10/727.full.pdf}, journal = {Emergency Medicine Journal} }