Table 1.
Estimated sensitivity and specificity of individual key indicator symptoms reported in EMS calls, compared to call handlers’ performance
| Sensitivity | (95% CI) | Specificity | (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call handlers’ performance | 72.8 | (65.8–79.1) | 99.4 | (99.3–99.6) |
| Key indicator symptom | ||||
| Unconscious | 86.0 | (80.2–90.5) | 93.4 | (89.0–96.2) |
| Not Breathing | 57.9 | (50.6–65.0) | 97.5 | (94.4–99.1) |
| Ineffective Breathing | 57.3 | (50.0–64.5) | 60.5 | (53.2–67.4) |
| Collapse | 43.8 | (36.6–51.1) | 84.4 | (78.8–89.2) |
| Breathing Yes/Effective | 30.3 | (23.9–37.6) | 16.4 | (11.8–22.6) |
| Change in Colour | 29.2 | (22.9–36.0) | 81.7 | (75.6–86.8) |
| Noisy Breathing | 25.8 | (19.8–32.8) | 92.2 | (87.4–95.3) |
| Died | 21.9 | (16.2–28.6) | 99.3 | (96.9–99.9) |
| Mouth/Vomit | 18.5 | (13.4–24.9) | 89.4 | (84.2–93.2) |
| Conscious | 16.3 | (11.2–22.4) | 19.8 | (14.3–26.0) |
| Eyes open/Staring | 15.7 | (11.0–21.8) | 97.1 | (93.9–98.8) |
| Cool/Clammy/Cold | 15.7 | (10.7–21.6) | 77.9 | (71.3–83.6) |
| Reduced or Fluctuating Consciousness | 15.2 | (10.3–20.9) | 79.6 | (73.2–84.9) |
| Sudden Onset/Deterioration | 13.5 | (9.0–19.1) | 96.1 | (92.4–98.3) |
| Major Trauma/Haemorrhage | 13.5 | (8.9–19.2) | 95.5 | (91.6–97.8) |
| Serious/Urgent Problem | 10.1 | (6.3–15.6) | 97.2 | (93.9–98.8) |
| Cardiac Symptoms/Disease1 | 7.9 | (4.4–12.4) | 85.1 | (79.5–89.9) |
| No Pulse/Output | 7.3 | (4.0–11.7) | 99.4 | (97.1–100) |
| Bystander resuscitation2 | 6.7 | (3.6–11.0) | 100.0 | (99.9–100) |
| Uncoordinated Movement | 6.7 | (3.7–11.2) | 97.2 | (93.7–98.8) |
| Seizure-like Activity | 6.7 | (3.6–11.1) | 98.3 | (95.4–99.4) |
| Unknown or Non-specific Problem | 5.1 | (2.4–9.1) | 92.3 | (87.6–95.6) |
| Abnormal Pulse/Heart Rate | 3.4 | (1.2–6.8) | 97.8 | (94.5–99.4) |
| Stroke-like Symptoms | 2.8 | (1.1–6.2) | 96.1 | (92.2–98.3) |
| Self-harm | 2.2 | (0.6–5.5) | 99.4 | (96.8–100) |
| Psychiatric Symptoms | 1.7 | (0.5–4.4) | 97.2 | (94.0–98.9) |
| Death Imminent | 0.6 | (0.0–2.7) | 99.5 | (97.0–100) |
| Drug/Alcohol use | 0.6 | (0.0–2.8) | 93.9 | (89.6–96.8) |
1e.g. chest pain, medical history, 2Including Airway Management /Defibrillation use