January 1, 2017The Medical Journal of Australia
Effect of a mass media campaign on ambulance use for chest pain
Key result
Mass media campaigns were associated with a 10.7% increase (95% CI 6.5-14.9%; P<0.001) in monthly ambulance use for chest pain compared to non-campaign months.
Why the study?
Does a mass media public awareness campaign increase emergency medical service use for chest pain?
Population
253,428 emergency ambulance attendances for non-traumatic chest pain in Melbourne, Australia
Comparison
Comprehensive public awareness mass media… vs Non-campaign months
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
January 2008 - December 2013
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Overview
May increase timely EMS calls for chest pain; observational data leave open effects on outcomes and resource use.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=253,428)
Structured PICO
Does a mass media public awareness campaign increase emergency medical service use for chest pain?
P
Population
253,428 emergency ambulance attendances for non-traumatic chest pain in Melbourne between January 2008 and December 2013.
E
Exposure
Comprehensive public awareness mass media campaigns by the National Heart Foundation of Australia about responding to prodromal acute myocardial infarction symptoms
C
Comparator
Non-campaign months
O
Outcome
Monthly ambulance attendances
Main Result
Effect estimate: 10.7% increase (95% CI 6.5-14.9%)
Absolute Event Rate: 3880% vs 3234%
p-value: p=<0.001
Mass media campaigns about heart attack symptoms successfully increase ambulance use for chest pain, though this includes an increase in non-transported, lower-risk patients.
Cite This Study
Nehme et al. (2017) conducted an observational in Non-traumatic chest pain (n=253,428). Mass media campaign vs. Non-campaign months was evaluated on Monthly ambulance attendances (10.7% increase, 95% CI 6.5-14.9%, p=<0.001). Mass media campaigns were associated with a 10.7% increase (95% CI 6.5-14.9%; P<0.001) in monthly ambulance use for chest pain compared to non-campaign months.