Home-based Acute Care for Older Persons Initiated by the Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services - a Retrospective Observation of Effects on Healthcare Utilisation and Mortality

Home-based Acute Care for Older Persons Initiated by the Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services - a Retrospective Observation of Effects on Healthcare Utilisation and Mortality

This observational study aims to examine outcomes of home-based acute care delivered by a mobile healthcare team in persons aged 75 years and older following an episode of acute illness.

The study will assess whether home-based acute care initiated by the emergency medical dispatch centre or ambulance services is non-inferior to emergency department care with regard to care needs and mortality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Contact with the emergency number (112), followed by either a telephone assessment by the Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre or an in-home assessment by an ambulance nurse
• Home-based acute care a weekday between 8 AM - 4 PM
• Emergency-department care weeknight 4 PM - 8 AM or weekends
• Registered residence in one of the municipalities of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Partille, or Härryda

Exclusion Criteria:

• Immediate conditions requiring hospital care
• Care at the emergency department or by a mobile primary care team occurring more than 24 hours after assessment by the Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre or ambulance services
• Individuals who have already been assessed by a physician and/or have a written referral to the emergency department