Development of emergency patient referral model at Chiang Yuen Hospital Chiang Yuen District, Maha Sarakham Province.

Abstract

      This study aimed to develop and evaluate the outcomes of the emergency patient referral model at Chiang Yuen Hospital, Chiang Yuen District, Maha Sarakham Province. This study utilized a participatory action research design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 35 professional nurses, 4 emergency medical technicians, and 7 ambulance drivers. The study was conducted from July 2025 to April 2026 at Chiang Yuen Hospital, Maha Sarakham Province. Data collection instruments included an observation form for adherence to emergency patient referral guidelines, an adverse event record form, and a satisfaction evaluation form regarding the referral model. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

      Results: 1) The emergency patient referral model of Chiang Yuen Hospital comprised: (1) emergency patient referral guidelines, and (2) an ambulance request application. 2) Outcomes of the emergency patient referral model indicated high adherence to referral guidelines: accurate patient triage (98.17%), correct referral prioritization when handling two or more simultaneous cases (100%), appropriate staff assignment during transit (100%), and correct ambulance dispatching (97.44%). The incidence rate of adverse events during transport was 0%. Overall satisfaction with the referral model was at a high level (Mean = 4.32, SD = 0.56), with specific domains rated as follows: referral guidelines at a high level (Mean = 4.30, SD = 0.54), ambulance request application at a high level (Mean = 4.38, SD = 0.65), and model utilization/application at a high level (Mean = 4.26, SD = 0.71).