Journal Article Ppublish
PubMed: 40556388 DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X25101192
Ambulance Attendance in the State of Queensland, Australia: Exploring the Impacts of Heatwaves Using a Retrospective Population-Based Study.
Prehosp Disaster Med 40(3):147-155
Authors: Jemma C King, Hannah M Mason, Amy E Peden, Gerard Fitzgerald, John Nairn, Nicole Mandalios, Kerrianne Watt, Emma L Bosley, Richard C Franklin
Affiliations
- Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- Disaster Management Branch, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Information Support, Research & Evaluation, Queensland Ambulance Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study explores the impact of heatwaves on emergency calls for assistance resulting in service attendance in the Australian state of Queensland for the period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2019. The study uses data from the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), a state-wide prehospital health system for emergency health care.
METHODS
A retrospective case series using de-identified data from QAS explored spatial and demographic characteristics of patients attended by ambulance and the reason for attendance. All individuals for which there was an emergency call to "000" that resulted in ambulance attendance in Queensland across the ten years were captured. Demand for ambulance services during heatwave and non-heatwave periods were compared. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were constructed exploring ambulance usage patterns during heatwaves and by rurality, climate zone, age groups, sex, and reasons for attendance.
RESULTS
Compared with non-heatwave days, ambulance attendance across Queensland increased by 9.3% during heatwave days. The impact of heatwaves on ambulance demand differed by climate zone (high humidity summer with warm winter; hot dry summer with warm winter; warm humid summer with mild winter). Attendances related to heat exposure, dehydration, alcohol/drug use, and sepsis increased substantially during heatwaves.
CONCLUSION
Heatwaves are a driver of increased ambulance demand in Queensland. The data raise questions about climatic conditions and heat tolerance, and how future cascading and compounding heat disasters may influence work practices and demands on the ambulance service. Understanding the implications of heatwaves in the prehospital setting is important to inform community, service, and system preparedness.
MeSH
Disasters, Incidence, Emergencies, Climate, Ambulances