Variables required for the audit of quality completion of patient report forms by EMS—A scoping review()

INTRODUCTION: This review aimed to compile a list of essential variables from the patient assessment, care provided out-of-hospital and the patient handover over process that should be recorded on a Patient Report Form (PRF). A scoping review was conducted to identify articles concerning the recording of medical information on the PRF in the prehospital environment. METHODS: A three-step search strategy was used to systemically search published literature. A Boolean method using synonymous phrases related to patient handover variables required for PRF competition was developed based on an initial online search of key phrases. Using the Boolean phrase, a scoping review (guided by a protocol developed a priori) was conducted. The search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Summon and Scopus. A PCC framework was used to guide the inclusion criteria of identified articles. RESULTS: The database search yielded 2461 results. Duplicates (n = 736), articles published prior to the year 2000 (n = 260), and non-English results (n = 30) were removed. The remaining 1435 articles underwent title and abstract screening to determine the relevance to the study topic. This resulted in articles apparently relevant to the study (n = 47) and these underwent full-text review. Following full-text review 25 articles were included in the study. Patient related information and variables detailing the condition of the patient, including, patient demographics, vital signs, patient assessment and treatment initiated and the manner in which this information is transferred during the patient handover are factors that are important during patient hand over. CONCLUSION: The information on the PRF prevents potential loss of critical patient information and details of the patient's condition and treatment from the prehospital field. The development of an appropriate checklist to quality assure PRF's by ensuring that all vital information is captured on the PRF is proposed.