Ambulance use in acute coronary syndrome in Ireland: A cross-sectional study

Background:As myocardial salvage is time dependent, prompt emergency department attendance is imperative in the presence of unresolved acute coronary syndrome symptoms. Although ambulance use is the recommended mode of transport during an acute coronary syndrome event, people regularly have misperceptions about its role. Consequently, many fail to use this service when warranted.Aim:To evaluate factors associated with ambulance usage among patients admitted to emergency departments with acute coronary syndrome symptoms in Ireland.Methods:Patients (N=1947) diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome were recruited across five hospitals. The ACS Response Index was used to identify mode of transport to access the emergency department, symptom context and experience and the rationale for non-ambulance use. Using logistic regression, predictors of ambulance use were identified.Results:Only 40.1% of the sample used an ambulance. The primary reason for non-ambulance use was the perception that it was unwarranted (31%...