Cancellation case analysis of physician-staffed rapid response car activities during off-hours in the central region of Saitama prefecture, Japan: a retrospective study
- 1Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University
- 2Altitude Emergency and Critical Care Medical, Saitama Red Cross Hospital
Abstract
Background Among hospitals in the central Saitama Prefecture, only the Saitama Red Cross Hospital (SRCH) provides physician-staffed rapid response car (RRC) services during off-hours (weekday night-time, weekends, and public holidays). During off-hours, concentrated dispatch requests increase the operational and financial burden, particularly when cancellations occur. Furthermore, research on RRC cancellation in the Japanese urban emergency medical system remains limited. By examining the epidemiological characteristics of RRC cancellation, this study aimed to optimise RRC operations and enhance emergency medical response efficiency. Methods This retrospective study analysed RRC dispatches from SRCH between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023, focusing on cases classified as ‘cancelled’ or ‘treated’. Variables including age, disease type, distance from the hospital, request source, and time of request were compared using chi-square test, t-test, and Mann–Whitney U test. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of cancellation. Results Of 4,005 dispatches, 1,091 were cancelled, and 2,417 were treated; 497 cases were excluded because of incomplete data. Cancellations were significantly associated with patients aged ≥ 65 years, requests initiated by the Command Centre, and greater distance from the hospital. Respiratory failure and anaphylactic shock had the highest cancellation rates. Conclusions Improving dispatch strategies can enhance pre-hospital emergency care, ensuring timely medical attention for critical patients, while reducing operational and financial strain on medical institutions.
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BibTeX
@article{ogawa2026cancellation,
title = {{Cancellation case analysis of physician-staffed rapid response car activities during off-hours in the central region of Saitama prefecture, Japan: a retrospective study}},
author = {Kaoru Ogawa and Ishtiaq Ahmad and Yoshihisa Shirayama and Motohiro Tsuboi and Koichi Yasaka and Shigemasa Taguchi and Miyoko Okamoto and Kazuya Kiyota and Motoyuki Yuasa},
journal = {BMC Emergency Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12873-026-01698-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-026-01698-2},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cancellation case analysis of physician-staffed rapid response car activities during off-hours in the central region of Saitama prefecture, Japan: a retrospective study
AU - Kaoru Ogawa
AU - Ishtiaq Ahmad
AU - Yoshihisa Shirayama
AU - Motohiro Tsuboi
AU - Koichi Yasaka
AU - Shigemasa Taguchi
AU - Miyoko Okamoto
AU - Kazuya Kiyota
AU - Motoyuki Yuasa
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC Emergency Medicine
DO - 10.1186/s12873-026-01698-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-026-01698-2
AB - Background Among hospitals in the central Saitama Prefecture, only the Saitama Red Cross Hospital (SRCH) provides physician-staffed rapid response car (RRC) services during off-hours (weekday night-time, weekends, and public holidays). During off-hours, concentrated dispatch requests increase the operational and financial burden, particularly when cancellations occur. Furthermore, research on RRC cancellation in the Japanese urban emergency medical system remains limited. By examining the epidemiological characteristics of RRC cancellation, this study aimed to optimise RRC operations and enhance emergency medical response efficiency. Methods This retrospective study analysed RRC dispatches from SRCH between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023, focusing on cases classified as ‘cancelled’ or ‘treated’. Variables including age, disease type, distance from the hospital, request source, and time of request were compared using chi-square test, t-test, and Mann–Whitney U test. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of cancellation. Results Of 4,005 dispatches, 1,091 were cancelled, and 2,417 were treated; 497 cases were excluded because of incomplete data. Cancellations were significantly associated with patients aged ≥ 65 years, requests initiated by the Command Centre, and greater distance from the hospital. Respiratory failure and anaphylactic shock had the highest cancellation rates. Conclusions Improving dispatch strategies can enhance pre-hospital emergency care, ensuring timely medical attention for critical patients, while reducing operational and financial strain on medical institutions.
SN - 1471-227X
ER -