Exploring the potential of geospatial mapping of emergency call data to improve ambulance services for older adults: a feasibility study in the south central region of England.

Abstract

Background: Ambulance trusts across the UK serve vast and varied regions, impacting equitable healthcare access, especially for older patients facing urgent, non-life-threatening conditions. Detailed variation in demand and service provision across these regions remains unexplored but is crucial for shaping effective care policies and organisation. Geospatial mapping techniques have the potential to improve understanding of variation across a region, with benefits for service design.

Aim: To explore the feasibility of using geospatial techniques to map emergency 999 calls and outcomes for older adults within an academic-healthcare collaboration framework.

Methods: The study used administrative and clinical data for patients aged ≥65 who made urgent calls to a regional ambulance service within 1 year. This data, aggregated by geographical area, was analysed using geospatial software (ArcGIS) to create detailed choropleth maps. These maps displayed metrics including population demographics, number of calls, response times, falls, dementia cases and hospital conveyance rates at the middle-layer super output area level. Feedback was solicited from internal stakeholders to enhance utility and focus on service improvements.

Results: The analysis unveiled significant regional disparities in emergency call frequencies and ambulance requirements for older adults, with notable variations in hospital conveyance rates, ranging from 22% to 100% across different areas. The geographical distribution of falls and calls for people with dementia corresponded with the older population's distribution. Response times varied by location. Stakeholders recommended additional data incorporation for better map utility and identified areas for service enhancement, particularly in addressing conveyance rate disparities for falls.

Conclusions: Leveraging aggregated ambulance service data for geospatial mapping of older adults' care demand and provision proves to be both feasible and insightful. The significant geographical variances in hospital conveyance highlight the need for further research. The development of academic-healthcare partnerships promotes resource and sharing of expertise, which should substantially benefit patient care for this vulnerable group.