Characterization and Trend Analysis of the Prevalence of Lift Assist Calls at South King Fire & Rescue (2006-2014)

Abstract

This thesis study expanded upon a 2010 South King Fire & Rescue (SKF&R) department study measuring the impact of lift assist calls on the department’s total call load. Lift assist calls are 911 calls made when an individual, who is usually older and/or physically or medically disabled, requires emergency medical service (EMS) assistance getting up from the sitting or laying position due to a fall or general weakness. The 2010 study measured an increasing prevalence of lift assist calls between 2006 and 2010. This thesis study supported the trends observed in the 2010 study and also measured a continued increase in the proportion of lift assist calls after 2010 followed by a slight stabilization through 2014. Additionally, this study observed that the number of patients requesting lift assists on an annual basis more than doubled across the study period, increasing from 152 callers in 2006 to 322 callers in 2014. As with the 2010 study, this study also concluded that the majority of lift assist calls were requested by individuals who requested more than one lift assist a year. Between 2006 and 2014, the percentage of lift assists requested by repeat callers increased from 54.12% to 66.61%. Furthermore, the majority of lift assist calls originated from private residences as opposed to nursing homes, such as adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and adult independent living facilities. Additional research may be required to continue to monitor the trend in lift assist calls made to this department. These trends may be due to the increasing population of older adults moving into the SKF&R area of responsibility. Future interventions may consider targeting repeat lift assist callers to minimize the proportion of lift assist calls made per year.