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Disparities between Rural and Urban Areas of the Central Region of Saudi Arabia in the Utilization and Time-Centeredness of Emergency Medical Services

Author

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  • Hassan N. Moafa

    (Department of Health Services Management, Faculty of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 82817 2820, Saudi Arabia
    Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, 6229 GT Maastricht, The Netherlands
    Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Sander Martijn Job van Kuijk

    (Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Dhafer M. Alqahtani

    (Department of Quality Management, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 13251-8261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohammed E. Moukhyer

    (Department of Academic Development and Quality, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan 82511, Saudi Arabia)

  • Harm R. Haak

    (Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, 6229 GT Maastricht, The Netherlands
    Department of Internal Medicine, Maxima Medisch Centre, 5631 BM Eindhoven, The Netherlands
    Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore differences in characteristics of missions dispatched by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) between rural and urban areas of Riyadh province in Saudi Arabia (SA). It also aimed at identifying weaknesses related to utilization and Response Time (RT). The study retrospectively evaluated 146,639 completed missions in 2018 by measuring the utilization rate in rural and urban areas. The study shows there are six times more ambulance crews available for rural areas compared to urban. There were 22.1 missions per 1000 urban inhabitants and 11.2 missions per 1000 in rural areas. The median RT for high urgent trauma cases was 20.2 min in rural compared to 15.2 min in urban areas ( p < 0.001). In urban areas, the median RT for high urgent medical cases was 16.1 min, while it was 15.2 min for high urgent trauma cases. Around 62.3% of emergency cases in urban and 56.5% in rural areas were responded to within 20.00 min. Women utilized EMS less frequently. The RT was increased in urban areas compared to previous studies. The RT in the central region of SA has been identified as equal, or less than 20.00 min in 62.4% of all emergency cases. To further improve adherence to the 20′ target, reorganizing the lowest urgent cases in the rural areas seems necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Hassan N. Moafa & Sander Martijn Job van Kuijk & Dhafer M. Alqahtani & Mohammed E. Moukhyer & Harm R. Haak, 2020. "Disparities between Rural and Urban Areas of the Central Region of Saudi Arabia in the Utilization and Time-Centeredness of Emergency Medical Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7944-:d:436821
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ahmed Ramdan M. Alanazy & Stuart Wark & John Fraser & Amanda Nagle, 2019. "Factors Impacting Patient Outcomes Associated with Use of Emergency Medical Services Operating in Urban Versus Rural Areas: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-16, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hassan N. Moafa & Sander M. J. van Kuijk & Mohammed E. Moukhyer & Dhafer M. Alqahtani & Harm R. Haak, 2021. "Non-Conveyance Due to Patient-Initiated Refusal in Emergency Medical Services: A Retrospective Population-Based Registry Analysis Study in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Hassan Farhat & Cyrine Abid & Kawther El Aifa & Padarath Gangaram & Andre Jones & Mohamed Chaker Khenissi & Moncef Khadhraoui & Imed Gargouri & Loua Al-Shaikh & James Laughton & Guillaume Alinier, 2023. "Epidemiological Determinants of Patient Non-Conveyance to the Hospital in an Emergency Medical Service Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-20, July.

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