scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC USING THE BAMF MODEL

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana KRAFTOVÁ ◽  
Lenka KAŠPAROVÁ

The focus of the paper is the evaluation of the financial health of selected public service providers. As part of the research we used a specially designed model of balance-sheet analysis for BAMF municipal companies. Used on a sample of 14 regional providers of emergency medical services in the Czech Republic from 2010–2014, we assessed the level and variability of the aggregate financial health indicator BAMF and its components, five sub-indicators. It turns out that the financial health of these subjects, although displaying significant similarities are not free of extreme values that in practice require more attention, or more precisely, deeper analysis. The authors conclude that the model is relatively easy to apply in practice and can contribute to the better financial health management of public sector bodies. At the same time, the BAMF model can be considered an addition to the theory of financial analysis.


1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiri R. Pokorny

AbstractThis report is a review of the response and the activities of the Emergency Medical Services during a huge flood that devastated one-third of the territory of the Czech Republic in July 1997. The Emergency Medical Services personnel extracted by helicopter a great number of citizens who were trapped in their flats and homes. For diabetics and cardiacs who were isolated from the surface transport, the EMS personnel supplied necessary medication, and transported patients to hemodialysis.The cooperation between non-medical emergency services and the district crisis staff of the Integrated Rescue System, varied in different districts. However, in most flooded districts, the cooperation was satisfactory. In addition, a large number of volunteers helped in the first days of the flood.Unfortunately, 49 people died because of the flood. Nevertheless, since the EMS was able to manage the extraordinary needs, the number of emergencies and hospitalizations was low.



1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth F. Mock ◽  
Keith D. Wrenn ◽  
Seth W. Wright ◽  
T. Chadwick Eustis ◽  
Corey M. Slovis

AbstractHypothesis:To determine the type and frequency of immediate unsolicited feedback received by emergency medical service (EMS) providers from patients or their family members and emergency department (ED) personnel.Methods:Prospective, observational study of 69 emergency medical services providers in an urban emergency medical service system and 12 metropolitan emergency departments. Feedback was rated by two medical student observers using a prospectively devised original scale.Results:In 295 encounters with patients or family, feedback was rated as follows: 1) none in 224 (76%); 2) positive in 51 (17%); 3) negative in 19 (6%); and 4) mixed in one (<1%). Feedback from 254 encounters with emergency department personnel was rated as: 1) none in 185 (73%); 2) positive in 46 (18%); 3) negative in 21 (8%); and 4) mixed in 2 (1%). Patients who had consumed alcohol were more likely to give negative feedback than were patients who had not consumed alcohol. Feedback from emergency department personnel occurred more often when the emergency medical service provider considered the patient to be critically ill.Conclusion:The two groups provided feedback to emergency medical service providers in approximately one quarter of the calls. When feedback was provided, it was positive more than twice as often as it was negative. Emergency physicians should give regular and constructive feedback to emergency medical services providers more often than currently is the case.



2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Huibers ◽  
Anders H Carlsen ◽  
Grete Moth ◽  
Helle C Christensen ◽  
Ingunn S Riddervold ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients in need of acute healthcare do not always contact the most suitable healthcare service provider. Contacting out-of-hours primary care for an urgent problem may delay care, whereas contacting emergency medical services for a non-urgent problem could ultimately affect patient safety. More insight into patient motives for contacting a specific healthcare provider may help optimise patient flows. This study aims to explore patient motives for contacting out-of-hours primary care and the emergency medical services in Denmark. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational study by sending a questionnaires to patients contacting out-of-hours primary care and emergency medical services, both of which can be directly contacted by patients, in two of five Danish regions in 2015. As we aimed to focus on the first access point, the emergency department was not included. The questionnaire included items on patient characteristics, health problem and 26 pre-defined motives. Descriptive analyses of patient characteristics and motives were conducted, stratified by the two healthcare service providers. Factors associated with contacting each of the two service providers were explored in a modified Poisson regression analysis, and adjusted risk ratios were calculated. Results Three key motives for contacting the two service providers were identified: ‘unpleasant symptoms’, ‘perceived need for prompt action’ and ‘perceived most suitable healthcare provider’. Other important motives were ‘need arose outside office hours’ and ‘wanted to talk to a physician’ (out-of-hours primary care) and ‘expected need for ambulance’ and ‘worried’ (emergency medical services). Higher probability of contacting the emergency medical services versus out-of-hours primary care was seen for most motives relating to own assessment and expectations, previous experience and knowledge, and own needs and wishes. Lower probability was seen for most motives relating to perceived barriers and benefits. Conclusions Patient motives for contacting the two healthcare service providers were partly overlapping. The study contributes with new knowledge on the complex decision-making process of patients in need of acute healthcare. This knowledge could help optimise existing healthcare services, such as patient safety and the service level, without increasing healthcare costs.



2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Huibers ◽  
Anders H Carlsen ◽  
Grete Moth ◽  
Helle C Christensen ◽  
Ingunn S Riddervold ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients in need of acute health care do not always contact the most suitable health care service provider. Contacting out-of-hours primary care for an urgent problem may delay care, whereas contacting emergency medical services for a non-urgent problem could ultimately affect patient safety. More insight into patient motives for contacting a specific health care provider may help optimise patient flows. This study aims to explore patient motives for contacting out-of-hours primary care and the emergency medical services in Denmark.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational study by sending a questionnaire to patients contacting out-of-hours primary care and emergency medical services, both of which can be directly contacted by patients, in two of five Danish regions in 2015. As we aimed to focus on the first access point, the emergency department was not included. The questionnaire included items on patient characteristics, health problem and 26 pre-defined motives. Descriptive analyses of patient characteristics and motives were conducted, stratified by the two health care service providers. Factors associated with contacting each of the two service providers were explored in a modified Poisson regression analysis, and adjusted risk ratios were calculated.Results Three key motives for contacting the two service providers were identified: ‘unpleasant symptoms’, ‘perceived need for prompt action’ and ‘perceived most suitable health care provider’. Other important motives were ‘need arose outside office hours’ and ‘wanted to talk to a physician’ (out-of-hours primary care) and ‘expected need for ambulance’ and ‘worried’ (emergency medical services). Higher probability of contacting the emergency medical services versus out-of-hours primary care was seen for most motives relating to own assessment and expectations, previous experience and knowledge, and own needs and wishes. Lower probability was seen for most motives relating to perceived barriers and benefits.Conclusions Patient motives for contacting the two health care service providers were partly overlapping. The study contributes with new knowledge on the complex decision-making process of patients in need of acute health care. This knowledge could help optimise existing health care services, such as patient safety and the service level, without increasing health care costs.



2018 ◽  
pp. emermed-2018-207553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angharad Jones ◽  
Michael John Donald ◽  
Jan O Jansen

BackgroundHelicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) are a useful means of reducing inequity of access to specialist emergency care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations in HEMS provision across Europe, in order to inform the further development of emergency care systems.MethodsThis is a survey of primary HEMS in the 32 countries of the European Economic Area and Switzerland. Information was gathered through internet searches (May to September 2016), and by emailing service providers, requesting verification and completion of data (September 2016 to July 2017). HEMS provision was calculated as helicopters per million population and per 1000 km2 land area, by day and by night, and per US$10 billion of gross domestic product (GDP), for each country.ResultsIn 2016, the smallest and least prosperous countries had no dedicated HEMS provision. Luxembourg had the highest number of helicopters by area and population, day and night. Alpine countries had high daytime HEMS coverage and Scandinavia had good night-time coverage. Most helicopters carried a doctor. Funding of services varied from public to charitable and private. Most services performed both primary (from the scene) and secondary (interfacility) missions.ConclusionsWithin Europe, there is a large variation in the number of helicopters available for emergency care, regardless of whether assessed with reference to population, land area or GDP. Funding of services varied, and did not seem to be clearly related to the availability of HEMS.



2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Reilly ◽  
David Markenson ◽  
Charles DiMaggio

AbstractBackground:Numerous studies have suggested that emergency medical services (EMS) providers areill-prepared in the areas of training and equipment for response to events due to weapons of mass destruction(WMD) and other public health emergencies (epidemics, etc.).Methods:A nationally representative sample of basic and paramedic EMS providers in the United States wassurveyed to assess whether they had received training in WMD and/or public health emergencies as part of their initial provider training and as continuing medical education within the past 24 months. Providers also were surveyed as to whether their primary EMS agency had the necessary specialty equipment to respond to these specific events.Results:More than half of EMS providers had some training in WMD response. Hands-on training was associated with EMS provider comfort in responding to chemical, biological, and/or radiological events and public health emergencies (odds ratio (OR) = 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1, 3.3). Only 18.1% of providers surveyed indicated that their agencies had the necessary equipment to respond to a WMD event. Emergency medical service providers who only received WMD training reported higher comfort levels than those who had equipment, but no training.Conclusions:Lack of training and education as well as the lack of necessary equipment to respond to WMD events is associated with decreased comfort among emergency medical services providers in responding to chemical, biological, and/or radiological incidents. Better training and access to appropriate equipment may increase provider comfort in responding to these types of incidents.



2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella Norberg-Boysen ◽  
Lennart Christensson ◽  
Birgitta Wireklint-Sundström ◽  
Johan Herlitz ◽  
Maria Nyström ◽  
...  

Rationale, aims and objectives The objective of this study is to develop a questionnaire measuring the level of trust and its constituents in patients calling the Emergency Medical Services for suspected acute primary healthcare problems. Four different frontline service providers were involved: the Dispatch Centre (DC), the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Emergency Department (ED) and the Healthcare Centre (HCC).Method The questionnaire was called the Patient Trust Questionnaire (PTQ). Repeated cross-sectional data collections were made and redundant items were gradually discarded. Finally, the constituents of trust were sought. Based on a literature review, the PTQ was developed as a psychometric instrument in four steps, as follows: 1) Item construction, 2) Face-to-face evaluation of items, 3) Item reduction, 4) Test of factor structure. The inclusion criteria for participating were that the patient must be 18 years of age or older and suspected having an acute primary healthcare problem when calling the EMS. In developing the questionnaire, 427 patients were included.Results Eight items remained for each frontline service provider in the PTQ, and two constituents of trust were found: credibility and accessibility.Conclusion A new measuring instrument has been developed for this particular healthcare chain, for patients with suspected acute primary healthcare problems calling the EMS. The two constituents of trust, credibility and accessibility, are assumed to be specific for this particular healthcare chain.



2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 02039
Author(s):  
Enikő Lőrinczová

Research background: The Visegrad Four (V4) countries are the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. As members of EU they had to incorporate into their national legal accounting framework the European Directives related to annual accounts, valid at the time, where various choices were possible to adopt. Some principles of the international financial reporting standards IFRS also affected the national accounting frameworks more or less, depending on the country. These various influences may affect the external user´s ability to read the published financial statements and compare them. Purpose of the article: The aim of this paper is to compare the relevant national legal framework of accounting in selected areas and the content of financial statements required in the V4 countries and to point out the influence of the chosen presentation of some financial information on selected indicators of financial analysis. Methods: Methods of description, analysis, comparison and synthesis are used to achieve the set aims of the paper. The financial analysis is demonstrated on an illustrative example of reported financial information which is based on the different national accounting legislation. Findings & Value added: The comparison showed some similarities and differences. The main differences amongst the V4 countries are related to the reporting of leased assets and the variation of own production and work-in-progress. Czech Republic does not report the leased assets in the balance sheet of the user of the asset but in the owner´s while the Slovak republic, Hungary and Poland report the asset in the user´s balance sheet which is in accordance with the international accounting standards IFRS (in case of Poland it depends on the lease contract). The Czech Republic reports the changes in own production and capitalization of own work as part of expenses which is in line with IFRS. The Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland report these items as part of revenues which is in line with the EU Directive but in contrast with IFRS. Also, the Slovak republic and Poland have definitions of the elements of financial statements in their accounting legislation while the Czech Republic and Hungary do not have these definitions. These differences influence the results of ROA, ROE and cost efficiency when comparing the same situation in these countries as it is evidenced on the illustrative example in the paper.



2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Huibers ◽  
Anders H Carlsen ◽  
Grete Moth ◽  
Helle C Christensen ◽  
Ingunn S Riddervold ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients in need of acute health care do not always contact the most suitable health care service provider. Contacting out-of-hours primary care for an urgent problem may delay care, whereas contacting emergency medical services for a non-urgent problem could ultimately affect patient safety. More insight into patient motives for contacting a specific health care provider may help optimise patient flows. This study aims to explore patient motives for contacting out-of-hours primary care and the emergency medical services in Denmark. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational study by sending a questionnaire to patients contacting out-of-hours primary care and emergency medical services, both of which can be directly contacted by patients, in two of five Danish regions in 2015. As we aimed to focus on the first access point, the emergency department was not included. The questionnaire included items on patient characteristics, health problem and 26 pre-defined motives. Descriptive analyses of patient characteristics and motives were conducted, stratified by the two health care service providers. Factors associated with contacting each of the two service providers were explored in a modified Poisson regression analysis, and adjusted risk ratios were calculated. Results Three key motives for contacting the two service providers were identified: ‘unpleasant symptoms’, ‘perceived need for prompt action’ and ‘perceived most suitable health care provider’. Other important motives were ‘need arose outside office hours’ and ‘wanted to talk to a physician’ (out-of-hours primary care) and ‘expected need for ambulance’ and ‘worried’ (emergency medical services). Higher probability of contacting the emergency medical services versus out-of-hours primary care was seen for most motives relating to own assessment and expectations, previous experience and knowledge, and own needs and wishes. Lower probability was seen for most motives relating to perceived barriers and benefits. Conclusions Patient motives for contacting the two health care service providers were partly overlapping. The study contributes with new knowledge on the complex decision-making process of patients in need of acute health care. This knowledge could help optimise existing health care services, such as patient safety and the service level, without increasing health care costs.



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