Availability of social authorities in a simulated paediatric emergency

INTRODUCTION. In cases of parental opposition to emergency medical care for minors, defined as children below 15 years of age, involving the social authorities may be necessary. When medical personnel assess that an intervention is in the minor's best interests, approval for such intervention is warranted from the local authorities in the municipality of residence. It was the primary aim of this study to assess the urgent availability of these authorities. METHODS. The urgent phone availability of social authorities at the 98 Danish local municipal offices was assessed during both regular hours and off-hours. The primary objective was to assess availability during regular hours. Urgent availability was predefined as obtained contact to a self-proclaimed accountable authority within 30 minutes. Secondary objectives were assessment of off-hour availability, time until obtained contact and number of contact links. RESULTS. Contact was obtained within 30 minutes in 59 inquiries (similar to 58%) made during regular hours, with a median of three contact links and a median time until contact of eight minutes (interquartile range (IQR): 5.5-11 minutes). During off-hours, contact was obtained within 30 minutes in 91 inquiries (similar to 93%), with a median of two contact links and a median time until contact of seven minutes (IQR: 5-12 minutes). CONCLUSION. During regular hours, we found that an accountable authority was urgently available for attendance to a case of parental opposition to emergency medical care of a minor within 30 minutes at the local municipal office in 58% of Danish municipalities.