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The Effect of Heat Waves on Ambulance Attendances in Brisbane, Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2013

Lyle R. Turner ,
Des Connell  and
Shilu Tong
Lyle R. Turner
Affiliation:
School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Des Connell
Affiliation:
School of Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Shilu Tong*
Affiliation:
School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
*
Correspondence: Shilu Tong, PhD School of Public Health and Social Work Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia E-mail s.tong@qut.edu.au
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Abstract

Introduction

Heat waves have significant impacts on mortality and morbidity. However, little is known regarding effects on pre-admission health outcomes such as ambulance attendances, particularly in subtropical regions.

Problem

This study investigated both main temperature effects and the added effects of heat waves on ambulance attendances in Brisbane, a subtropical city in Australia.

Methods

Daily data relating to 783,935 ambulance attendances, along with data on meteorological variables and air pollutants, were collected for the period 2000-2007. Ambient temperature (main) effects were assessed using a distributed lag nonlinear approach that accounted for delayed effects of temperature, while added heat wave effects were incorporated separately using a local heat wave definition. Effect estimates were obtained for total, cardiovascular and respiratory attendances, and different age groups.

Results

Main effects of temperature were found for total attendances, which increased by 50.6% (95% CI, 32.3%-71.4%) for a 9.5°C increase above a reference temperature of 29°C. An added heat wave effect on total attendances was observed (18.8%; 95% CI, 6.5%-32.5%). Significant effects were found for both respiratory and cardiovascular attendances, particularly for those aged 65 and above.

Conclusion

Ambulance attendances can be significantly impacted by sustained periods of high temperatures, and are a valid source of early detection of the effects of extreme temperatures on the population. The planning of ambulance services may need to be adapted as a consequence of increasing numbers of heat waves in the future. Ambulance attendance data also should be utilized in the development of heat warning systems and climate change adaptation strategies.

TurnerLR, ConnellD, TongS. The Effect of Heat Waves on Ambulance Attendances in Brisbane, Australia. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(5):1-6.

Keywords

climate changeEmergency Medical Servicesheat wave
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 5 , October 2013 , pp. 482 - 487
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2013 

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