Recognition of climate-related risks for prehospital emergency medical service and emergency department in Finland - A Delphi study.

Background: Emergency departments (ED) and prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) will experience new or increasing challenges due to the changing climate. The aims of this study was to add knowledge about these challenges in Finland and to help EMS and ED operators to prepare for the effects of climate change.

Methods: A two-round Delphi study was conducted.

Telephone triage performed by nurses reduces non-urgent ambulance missions: A prospective observational pilot study in Finland.

Background: The increased workload in emergency medical services (EMS) is a global phenomenon in welfare states. It has been suggested that telephone triage by nurses may reduce the increasing use of EMS services, by directing patient flow to appropriate care. This study aimed to investigate whether, after an emergency medical communication centre (EMCC) provider assessed risk, a telephone nurse could assess the patient's needs and guide patients to social and health care services in non-urgent cases.