TABLE 2.
Comparison of risk factors between patients alive and deceased at 30 days after non‐conveyance decision
| Death within 30 days (n = 960) | Alive (n = 75,273) | Relative Risk (95% CI) | p‐value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patient background | ||||
| Age, years | 77.1 (14.5) | 59.3 (22.5) | <.001 | |
| Female | 51.1% | 55.6% | 0.84 (0.74–0.95) | .006 |
| Previously healthy | 2.9% | 16.8% | 0.15 (0.11–0.22) | <.001 |
| Living in a nursing home | 21.7% | 4.5% | 5.56 (4.79–6.46) | <.001 |
| Unable to walk | 19.9% | 3.9% | 5.75 (4.93–6.71) | <.001 |
| DNAR order | 8.8% | 0.3% | 22.89 (18.84–27.82) | <.001 |
| Person who made EMS call | ||||
| Patient | 16.9% | 35.4% | 0.38 (0.32–0.44) | <.001 |
| Family member | 27.5% | 20.9% | 1.43 (1.24–1.65) | <.001 |
| Bystander | 13.9% | 24.4% | 0.51 (0.42–0.61) | <.001 |
| Medical professional | 31.6% | 9.1% | 4.47 (3.91–5.11) | <.001 |
| Unknown | 8.1% | 8.3% | 1.03 (0.82–1.23) | .809 |
| Dispatch | ||||
| Triage level A or B | 23.9% | 21.7% | 1.12 (0.97–1.30) | .102 |
| Malaise | 21.5% | 15.0% | 1.54 (1.32–1.80) | <.001 |
| Suspected decline in vital functions | 8.1% | 14.0% | 0.54 (0.43–0.69) | <.001 |
| Falling over | 15.9% | 12.9% | 1.28 (1.08–1.52) | .005 |
| Chest pain | 5.3% | 8.9% | 0.58 (0.44–0.76) | <.001 |
| Musculoskeletal pain | 5.3% | 6.3% | 0.84 (0.63–1.11) | .206 |
| Shortness of breath | 17.9% | 5.7% | 3.54 (3.01–4.16) | <.001 |
| Convulsion | 1.4% | 2.8% | 0.49 (0.28–0.84) | .008 |
| Mental illness | 1.3% | 2.7% | 0.46 (0.26–0.81) | .006 |
| EMS call | ||||
| ALS‐trained crew on the scene | 19.4% | 21.3% | 1.12 (0.96–1.32) | .157 |
| EMS physician consulted | 19.7% | 11.9% | 1.79 (1.53–2.10) | <.001 |
| EMS physician on‐scene | 2.8% | 0.8% | 3.31 (2.33–4.81) | <.001 |
| Abnormal measurements | ||||
| Systolic blood pressure | 5.1% | 1.4% | 3.74 (2.83–4.96) | <.001 |
| Heart rate | 9.1% | 8.3% | 1.10 (0.89–1.37) | .376 |
| Blood oxygen saturation | 28.5% | 8.1% | 4.35 (3.79–5.00) | <.001 |
| Respiratory rate | 5.2% | 1.5% | 3.54 (2.68–4.68) | <.001 |
| Level of consciousness | 3.1% | 0.4% | 6.99 (4.94–9.91) | <.001 |
| Body temperature | 1.8% | 1.6% | 1.11 (0.69–1.79) | .657 |
| Breath alcohol content | 10.6% | 23.0% | 0.40 (0.33–0.49) | <.001 |
| Treatment given | ||||
| Any medication | 1.7% | 0.9% | 1.95 (1.20–3.17) | .007 |
| Intravenous fluids | 2.1% | 2.2% | 0.95 (0.61–1.48) | .823 |
| Supplemental oxygen | 1.3% | 0.1% | 10.25 (6.02–17.46) | <.001 |
| Number of abnormal vital signs | ||||
| 0 abnormal vitals | 59.4% | 80.8% | 0.35 (0.31–0.40) | <.001 |
| 1 abnormal vital | 31.1% | 17.3% | 2.13 (1.86–2.44) | <.001 |
| 2 or more abnormal vitals | 9.5% | 1.9% | 5.09 (4.13–6.28) | <.001 |
| National Early Warning Score | ||||
| 0 | 21.8% | 43.7% | 0.35 (0.30–0.41) | <.001 |
| 1–2 | 46.2% | 44.2% | 1.05 (0.92–1.19) | .492 |
| 3–4 | 23.0% | 10.4% | 2.46 (2.12–2.86) | <.001 |
| 5–6 | 7.7% | 1.6% | 4.86 (3.84–6.13) | <.001 |
| >7 | 1.4% | 0.1% | 10.25 (6.14–17.09) | <.001 |
| Patient's total number of EMS calls during the previous 365 days | ||||
| 0 | 29.0% | 47.7% | 0.45 (0.39–0.51) | <.001 |
| 1 | 22.6% | 16.3% | 1.50 (1.29–1.74) | <.001 |
| 2–3 | 23.8% | 14.6% | 1.80 (1.56–2.09) | <.001 |
| 4–9 | 16.4% | 12.2% | 1.40 (1.18–1.66) | <.001 |
| 10–19 | 5.7% | 4.8% | 1.20 (0.91–1.57) | .194 |
| ≥20 | 2.6% | 4.4% | 0.58 (0.39–0.86) | .006 |
| Reason for non‐conveyance | ||||
| No transport needed | 89.1% | 88.3% | 1.08 (0.88–1.32) | .451 |
| Other means of transport | 4.8% | 4.9% | 0.97 (0.72–1.30) | .845 |
| Treated on scene | 4.1% | 5.0% | 0.81 (0.59–1.11) | .184 |
| Taken into police custody | 0.8% | 1.5% | 0.57 (0.28–1.14) | .104 |
| Other assistance requested | 1.3% | 0.3% | 3.71 (2.13–6.48) | <.001 |
Data are presented as percentage, mean (standard deviation), or relative risk (95% confidence interval). Last measured value for each vital parameter was registered. National early warning score of 2–3 points was considered abnormal.
Abbreviations: ALS, advanced life support; EMS, emergency medical service.