Factors Influencing the Emergency Medical Service Response Time for Cardiovascular Disease in Guangzhou, China

Abstract

While emergency medical service (EMS) response time (ERT) is a major factor associated with the survival of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), relatively few studies have explored the factors associated with ERT. This study aimed to assess the current status of ERT and to identify the factors affecting ERT in patients with CVD in China. Between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015, EMS responses to CVD incidents in Guangzhou, China, were examined. The primary outcome was ERT, defined as the time from receipt of an emergency call to the arrival of paramedics on the scene. Factors associated with ERT were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. A total of 44 383 CVD incidents were analysed. The median ERT was 12.58 min (interquartile range=9.98–15.67). Among the risk factors, distance (OR=13.73, 95% CI=11.76–16.04), level of hospital (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.40–1.75), and site of the incident (OR=1.53, 95% CI=1.38–1.69) were the top three significant factors affecting the ERT. Our results suggest that greater attention should be given to factors affecting the ERT. It is essential to make continuous efforts to promote the development of effective interventions to reduce the response time.

Keywords

emergency medical service / cardiovascular disease / response time / factors / China

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