[Low-priority emergency calls: planned and actual dispatching of resources in a German Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) following the introduction of a standardized emergency call query. A retrospective analysis of EDC data].
Zeitschrift fur Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualitat im Gesundheitswesen · 2026-04-17 · Observational study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of calls to Emergency Dispatch Centers (EDCs) are classified as low-priority calls (LPCs). This study examines LPCs detected in an EDC through a standardized emergency call query and the degree of fulfilment between planned and actual dispatching. METHOD: This retrospective prevalence study uses descriptive and exploratory data analysis to examine data from the routine documentation of the emergency dispatch system (EDS) and the standardized emergency call system of an EDC. The primary endpoint of the study is the frequency of LPCs for assistance and their standardized assignment to the appropriate care structures of medical on-call services (provided by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, ASHIP) and community paramedics (CPs). RESULTS: Just under 10% of the calls handled with a standardized emergency call query were LPCs. Of these, 54.0% fell within the remit of the ASHIP and 41.1% within the remit of EMS. In areas without CPs, an ALS ambulance was dispatched twice as often as in areas with such a system (85.9% versus 41.6%). Also, a difference was found regarding the subsequent transport to a hospital (57.4% vs. 29%). There were only minor differences in utilization between day (49.2%) and night (50.8%). CONCLUSION: The data examined support the current approach to reforming cross-sectoral emergency care services. Detecting LPCs will only lead to a needs-based care if suitable downstream resources are available at all times. The control of all outreach care resources by the EDC could prevent disruptions at sector boundaries.