Discrepancies in the Distribution of Emergency Medical Services Team with Access to Services and Emergency Medical Services Performance of Critically Patients in Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the distribution model of emergency medical unit, the access to services, and the effectiveness of emergency medical services for critically ill patients in Thailand in order to develop policy recommendations for stakeholders. It was conducted as a documentary research. The study found that 33.71% of critically ill patients got access to emergency medical services through the hotline number - 1669; whereas 66.29% got access through other channels. Most emergency medical units were distributed at multiple locations, near communities, or at points prone to having emergencies. The average distance from the scene to an ambulance was 25.63 km (SD=22.62 km.), and the average distance from the scene to a hospital was 39.46 km (SD=14.80). As a result, the emergency operations unit took approximately 48.98 minutes from the ambulance parking place to the scene and delivered the patient to the hospital, That was 6.12 times over the target timing of less than 8 minutes. Evaluation of service efficiency based on the satisfaction and confidence in the service revealed the high satisfaction (64.89 percent, average=3.59 SD=1.66); and 71.16% of the samples would continue to use the services. Based on the study results, it was recommended that all sectors including government, community, educational institutions, and the public sector should create knowledge and raise awareness about the service system; and promote the use of emergency medical services to enhance access to services, especially among critically ill patients. In addition, the emergency operations model should be improved by combining the Scoop and Run concept of the Anglo-American Model (AAM) with the Franco-German Model’s Stay and Play (FGM) concept in order to reduce the distance and time of access to public services, especially among critically ill patients, .