• Steven J Weiss, Amy A Ernst, Margaret Ong, Ray Jones, Debra Morrow, Rosemary Milch, Katie O'Neil, Jay Glass, and Todd Nick.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA. sweiss52@aol.com
• Am J Emerg Med. 2005 Jul 1; 23 (4): 492-6.

ObjectiveTo determine whether emergency medical services (EMS) 911 frequent users would benefit from social services intervention.MethodsThe design was a descriptive prospective subject evaluation. All nonhomeless frequent EMS users (>3x in 1 month) were identified monthly from December 2 to May 3 and contacted by 2 social workers. Information extracted from their contact with the subjects included demographics, ability to enter a social services intervention, and reason for transport.ResultsEighty-four patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. Seventy-four patients were unable to enter a social services intervention for the following reasons: not home (2x) (26%), not at address (19%), refused (13%), unable to complete Mini-Mental Status Exam (10%), deceased (6%), hospitalized (5%), safety issues (4%), and others (10%). The reasons for frequent EMS use were cardiac (24%), asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25%), seizures (14%), dialysis problems, alcohol problems, and diabetes-related problems (<10% each).ConclusionAmong all patients, the primary reasons for transport were cardiac, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and seizures. Only 12% of patients contacted could enter a social services intervention. On the basis of the small cohort of patients that were able to enter a social services interventions, more targeted interventions are warranted.

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