Factors Influencing Satisfaction with the Emergency Medical Services between Adults and the Elderly

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this secondary data analysis study was to compare what factors influenced individual"s satisfaction with emergency medical services (EMS). Methods: Data were obtained from the Korea Health Panel Survey 2013 with 20,641 participants. A total sample of emergency room (ER) users (n=1,709) aged 20 and over were selected and divided into two age groups, one for 1,046 adults and the other for 663 elderly. Participants" responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, x2 test and logistic regression. Results: Among adults and elderly who were transferred to other hospitals instead of being admitted or returned to their homes reported less satisfaction (x 2 =10.18, p=.006). Further, the adults who perceived their arrival to the ER as not delayed (x2=3.74, p=.049) or visited the ER for treatment for illness (x2=5.32, p=.021) reported more satisfaction than those who perceived their ER service being delayed or visited the ER for accident or poisoning. The elderly who visited ER by non-ambulance reported higher satisfaction than those who arrived by ambulance (x2=14.15, p<.001). Conclusion: In both adults and the elderly, satisfaction of EMS can be increased by avoiding transferring patients to other hospital. For adults to be satisfied with EMS, efficient and rapid EMS might be needed to avoid delay in ER arrival, especially for adults with accidents or poisoning.