Predictors of ambulance use in patients with acute myocardial infarction in Australia

Abstract

Aims: To determine ambulance transport rates and investigate predictors for ambulance use by patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Australia. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional descriptive survey using structured interviews. It included patients who were admitted to two hospitals (Western, Bendigo, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) with AMI between 1 October 2004 and 31 March 2005, and data were collected by semistructured interview and medical record review. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analysis using SPSS. Results: 105 patients were interviewed. 48 (46%) participants called for an ambulance as their initial medical contact. Parti..