Investigation of Unplanned Out-of-Hospital Births

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to retrospectively examine the demographic characteristics, reaction times, and outcomes of out-of-hospital birth cases received by the Ankara 112 Emergency Health Services Emergency Health Automation System and transported to Etlik City Hospital. The study aims to help improve the prehospital health services provided.
METHODS: In this study, out-of-hospital delivery calls made to the Ankara 112 Emergency Health Services Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS) between October 1, 2022, and June 1, 2024, and delivery cases brought to the Ankara Etlik City Hospital Gynecology Clinic were examined. A total of 49 cases were included. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 27.0 software; descriptive statistical methods and various comparison tests were applied.
RESULTS: The mean age of the cases included in the study was 27.4±5.7 years. The majority of the cases (71.4%) occurred outside of working hours. The nationality of 23 cases was the Republic of Türkiye. Patients with other nationalities had lower hemoglobin values. The mean hemoglobin value of the cases was 11.2±1.5. Forty-two cases were transferred to hospitals, and seven of them requested transfer between hospitals.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study shows that Ankara 112 Emergency Health Services intervenes quickly and effectively in prehospital delivery cases. A difference was found between patient nationalities in terms of hemoglobin values. Although the time to reach the case in prehospital health services is below the quality standards, further shortening of these times will have a positive impact on patient outcomes. Expanding such studies will improve the quality of prehospital emergency health services.