Table 3

Multivariable analyses of factors associated with patient outcomes within 48 hours of the emergency call

RecontactED presentationHospital admissionAdverse event
OR (95% CI)OR (95% CI)OR (95% CI)OR (95% CI)
Male gender1.04 (0.93 to 1.17)1.05 (0.99 to 1.11)1.07 (0.96 to 1.20)0.91 (0.53 to 1.56)
Patient age
 0–11 monthsRefRefRefRef
 1–4 years0.94 (0.75 to 1.16)0.92 (0.84 to 1.00)0.58 (0.50 to 0.68)0.47 (0.23 to 0.98)
 5–11 years1.05 (0.84 to 1.32)0.71 (0.64 to 0.78)0.45 (0.38 to 0.54)0.24 (0.09 to 0.64)
 12–17 years1.53 (1.21 to 1.92)0.68 (0.61 to 0.76)0.48 (0.40 to 0.59)0.61 (0.24 to 1.56)
Hour of day
 00:00–04:001.29 (1.03 to 1.60)1.13 (1.01 to 1.26)0.71 (0.57 to 0.88)0.76 (0.28 to 2.05)
 04:00–08:001.39 (1.08 to 1.79)1.11 (0.97 to 1.26)1.24 (0.99 to 1.56)1.09 (0.37 to 3.24)
 08:00–12:001.25 (1.01 to 1.55)1.13 (1.02 to 1.26)1.34 (1.11 to 1.62)1.07 (0.43 to 2.68)
 12:00–16:00RefRefRefRef
 16:00–20:001.23 (1.02 to 1.49)1.10 (1.01 to 1.20)0.98 (0.82 to 1.16)0.42 (0.15 to 1.15)
 20:00–00:001.19 (0.98 to 1.43)1.19 (1.09 to 1.30)0.83 (0.69 to 0.98)0.94 (0.42 to 2.07)
Weekend0.97 (0.85 to 1.10)1.04 (0.98 to 1.10)1.00 (0.89 to 1.13)0.67 (0.35 to 1.28)
Major city residential address0.85 (0.74 to 0.98)0.96 (0.90 to 1.03)0.95 (0.83 to 1.09)1.10 (0.54 to 2.22)
Time-critical dispatch code0.75 (0.66 to 0.85)0.91 (0.85 to 0.97)0.91 (0.81 to 1.03)1.36 (0.73 to 2.54)
Medical case nature1.75 (1.47 to 2.07)1.23 (1.12 to 1.34)2.22 (1.85 to 2.66)0.83 (0.37 to 1.85)
Paramedic diagnosis
 No problem identifiedRefRefRefRef
 Mental health/Social/Behavioural issue or Alcohol/Drug related2.07 (1.65 to 2.60)0.96 (0.83 to 1.13)1.63 (1.20 to 2.20)1.85 (0.51 to 6.70)
 Respiratory condition1.15 (0.90 to 1.48)1.96 (1.74 to 2.20)1.31 (1.05 to 1.65)1.68 (0.56 to 5.07)
 Neurological condition1.87 (1.48 to 2.37)1.10 (0.95 to 1.28)0.98 (0.73 to 1.32)1.56 (0.39 to 6.19)
 Infection1.41 (1.12 to 1.78)1.85 (1.64 to 2.07)1.58 (1.27 to 1.96)1.65 (0.54 to 5.02)
 Gastrointestinal/Genitourinary condition1.21 (0.88 to 1.66)1.98 (1.70 to 2.31)2.00 (1.53 to 2.61)1.20 (0.23 to 6.16)
 Other medical condition0.82 (0.62 to 1.08)1.52 (1.34 to 1.73)1.19 (0.92 to 1.53)1.66 (0.53 to 5.25)
 Musculoskeletal issue/Traumatic injury0.70 (0.51 to 0.95)2.62 (2.33 to 2.95)1.98 (1.53 to 2.56)0.17 (0.02 to 1.57)
 Pain0.61 (0.43 to 0.85)2.17 (1.89 to 2.48)1.70 (1.28 to 2.25)1.63 (0.41 to 6.45)
 Unknown problem1.23 (0.87 to 1.74)1.82 (1.55 to 2.13)1.55 (1.15 to 2.10)2.43 (0.68 to 8.67)
Paramedic treatment provided1.14 (0.91 to 1.42)1.25 (1.14 to 1.37)1.26 (1.04 to 1.52)1.91 (0.76 to 4.79)
Abnormal vital sign1.00 (0.87 to 1.15)1.05 (0.99 to 1.12)1.23 (1.09 to 1.39)2.22 (1.25 to 3.95)
Documented non-transport reason
 Transport not requiredRefRefRefRef
 Transported by other means0.49 (0.39 to 0.62)19.06 (17.75 to 20.46)7.59 (6.56 to 8.78)7.33 (3.46 to 15.52)
 Referred to GP/Another provider1.19 (1.02 to 1.39)1.36 (1.24 to 1.49)1.24 (1.02 to 1.51)1.82 (0.71 to 4.65)
 Transport refused by patient/Carer1.42 (1.22 to 1.66)1.97 (1.80 to 2.16)1.79 (1.47 to 2.18)2.16 (0.85 to 5.50)
Highest experience level of crew (per year)1.00 (0.99 to 1.01)1.00 (1.00 to 1.00)1.00 (0.99, 1.01)1.00 (0.97, 1.04)
  • ED, emergency department; GP, general practitioner; Ref, reference.