[Evaluation of ambulance transport relevance of dialysis patients in the PACA region (France), and estimation of savings by the Health Insurance]

Introduction: Patient transport represents the second largest item of cost of dialysis after hospitalization. A significant proportion of patients transported by ambulance are self-sufficient for walking.

Description: A study was carried out in the PACA region (France) to analyse the profile of patients transported by ambulance and self-sufficient for walking and then to evaluate the savings for the Health Insurance.

Methods: A triangulation of data was carried out using data from haemodialysis patients recorded in the French REIN Registry in 2017 and data from two surveys: one of a sample of patients transported by ambulance and autonomous in walking, and the other of 62 nephrologists.

Results: The data from the REIN register allowed us to estimate that 44 % of patients transported by ambulance are self-sufficient for walking. Our study allowed us to estimate that 2/3 of patients transported by ambulance, self-sufficient for walking, have a reason for being transported by ambulance; for the third without a reason, the health insurance savings would amount to €2 million per year with a reclassification of their transport as seated transport. The survey of prescribers showed that there are exemptions justified by a temporary deterioration in health and/or housing conditions, but also by the lack of seated transport.

Conclusion: One third of the patients, transported by ambulance and self-sufficient for walking, would have an inappropriate transport. This would be explained by the fluctuating state of health of the patients and would also linked to the lack of seated transportation. Savings are possible and depend in part on improved management of the supply.