Table 2 Characteristics systematic reviews (n = 2)

Mikolaizak (2013) Australia [26]

To summarize the evidence in relation to (1) non-conveyance rates, (2) outcomes following non-conveyance, and (3) outcomes from alternative care pathways for non-conveyed older people who have fallen

1. Medline

2. Embase

3. CINAHL

4.PsycINFO

5.Cochrane Library

6. Web of Science

1. Peer-reviewed articles

2. Original data relating to non-transport rates for older people who have fallen

3. Outcomes on falls or outcomes for alternate care pathways for non-transported people who have fallen

12 articles: 2 randomized controlled trials, 5 prospective cohort studies, 4 retrospective cohort studies and 1 historical cohort trial.

Snooks (2004b) UK [10]

1. To describe outcomes of non-conveyed patients

2. To describe triage ability of crews

3. To assess effectiveness and safety of protocols that allow crews to convey patients to alternative receiving units or to self-care

1. Medline

2. BIDS

3.Healthplan

4. Helmis

Articles on paramedics trained with extra skills to perform tasks beyond their baseline competencies

31 articles: 13 retrospective observational studies, 8 prospective observational studies, 6 cross-sectional studies, 3 case studies and 1 quasi-experimental study