Ambulance and public hospital emergency department utilisation by elderly people in Perth Western Australia

[Truncated abstract] A disproportionate number of ambulance requests and ED presentations are made by elderly people who present with acute medical problems complicated by complex co-morbidities, cognitive/functional decline and social issues. Further compounding ambulance and ED utilisation by elderly people is that between 18-47% of elderly patients are treated and discharged home. Given that ambulance demand and ED’s are at capacity, it would seem imperative to gain a better understanding of why elderly patients, especially those who are not admitted to hospital, choose to attend the ED...Emergency medical services and ED utilisation by elderly patients continues to be used at a disproportionately higher rate than by those younger than 65 years however the real disparity is highlighted in the use of these services by those aged 85 years or more. It is therefore imperative that both the EMS and emergency departments within the metropolitan area must ensure that they are equipped educationally, operationally and strategically to meet the burgeoning demands made by this segment of the population.