frequent flyer in EMS?

[poutin3]

I've been hearing the term "frequent flyer" used in the EMS and medical community, and I'm a bit curious about what it really means in a medical setting.
From what I gather, it's a term for someone who calls for an ambulance or visits the ER a lot, but I was wondering if there's more to it than that.

Is it more about the nature of the calls, or just the sheer number of times they're seen? I'd appreciate any insights

 

[Parasite]

You're right about that. What I know is it's mostly about how often they show up, not always the severity. Sometimes it's medical, sometimes it's social stuff like loneliness or addiction driving the calls.

 

[JohnClarke33]

When I started in EMS a few years ago, I heard "frequent flyer" used a lot. Yes, it usually refers to patients who call or visit the ER often, sometimes weekly. It's more about how often they're seen than the type of call, though many have chronic issues or limited support. It's not meant to be negative, just a quick way to flag repeat visits so we can better understand their needs.