A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
A Retrospective review of patient records and factors associated with decisions made by community nurse-paramedics’ in Finland
Authors: Rasku Tuija, Kaunonen Marja, Helminen Mika, Thyer Elizabeth, Paavilainen Eija, Joronen Katja
Publication year: 2021
Journal: Nursing Reports
Journal acronym: Nursing Reports
Volume: 11
Issue: 3
First page : 690
Last page: 701
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep11030065
Web address : https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep11030065
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/66672574
Community paramedicine (CP) has extended the role of paramedics and the main goal is to provide non-emergency care, which reduces the visits to emergency departments. The aim of this study was to describe the Finnish CP and examine the factors that were involved in CNPs’ decision-making processes. The study was based on data from 450 consecutive CP patient records from three hospital districts. A more detailed analysis was carried out on 339 cases in patients’ homes and elderly care homes, and the data analysis included multivariate logistic regression to examine the impact of variables on the CNPs’ decisions. These patients’ most common health issues were general weakness (15.9%) and fever (10.6%), and over half (58.7%) could remain at home after the CP visit. There were five independent factors associated with the CNPs’ decisions of the patient’s care continuum: the hospital district, if the patient could walk, whether the troponin test was performed, a physician was consulted, and the nature of the task. CP units played a valuable role in non-emergency care. Understanding the factors associated with CNP decision-making can increase the safety and effectiveness of reducing hospital visits, by providing patient care at home, or in elderly care facilities.
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