Emergency Medical Services Response to Motor Vehicle Crashes in Rural Areas

The timely response of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel at a crash site may help prevent loss of life and thereby impact the quality of life for an individual at risk. Thus, availability of and access to quantitative data on EMS activities is critical. This study was conducted to review the data collected by the Michigan Department of Community Health, Emergency Medical Services Section, from a five-year period starting in 2010. The intent was to identify current EMS response, treatment, and transport trends. Among the results noted in this paper, it was identified that on average, the total times involved from the dispatch call to the drop-off of a patient from a motor vehicle collision (MVC) in Michigan were approximately 56 and 43 min for rural and urban areas, respectively. The results from this study could be utilized to guide and direct future EMS initiatives relating to MVCs. The analysis might also be beneficial in predicting the types of injuries that occur in specific types of vehicle crashes. Several challenges and recommendations are provided in the paper.

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Development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) networks delivering early defibrillation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) in areas lacking timely access to emergency medical services (EMS) in Germany: a comparative economic study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043791 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e043791

Author(s):

Jan Bauer ◽

Dieter Moormann ◽

Reinhard Strametz ◽

David A Groneberg

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Medical Services ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Annual Average ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Life Years ◽

Timely Access ◽

The Cost

ObjectivesThis study wants to assess the cost-effectiveness of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA). Especially in rural areas with longer response times of emergency medical services (EMS) early lay defibrillation could lead to a significant higher survival in OHCA.Participants3296 emergency medical stations in Germany.SettingRural areas in Germany.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThree UAV networks providing 80%, 90% or 100% coverage for rural areas lacking timely access to EMS (ie, time-to-defibrillation: >10 min) were developed using a location allocation analysis. For each UAV network, primary outcome was the cost-effectiveness using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) calculated by the ratio of financial costs to additional life years gained compared with current EMS.ResultsCurrent EMS with 3926 emergency stations was able to gain 1224 life years on annual average in the study area. The UAV network providing 100% coverage consisted of 1933 UAV with average annual costs of €43.5 million and 1845 additional life years gained on annual average (ICER: €23 568). The UAV network providing 90% coverage consisted of 1074 UAV with average annual costs of €24.2 million and 1661 additional life years gained on annual average (ICER: €14 548). The UAV network providing 80% coverage consisted of 798 UAV with average annual costs of €18.0 million and 1477 additional life years gained on annual average (ICER: €12 158).ConclusionThese results reveal the relevant life-saving potential of all modelled UAV networks. Furthermore, all analysed UAV networks could be deemed cost-effective. However, real-life applications are needed to validate the findings.

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Pediatric Prehospital Care in Urban and Rural Areas

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.88.4.681 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 88 (4) ◽

pp. 681-690 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

James S. Seidel ◽

Deborah Parkman Henderson ◽

Patrick Ward ◽

Barbara Wray Wayland ◽

Beverly Ness

Keyword(s):

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Life Support ◽

Prehospital Care ◽

Advanced Life Support ◽

Medical Services ◽

Care Providers ◽

Emergency Medical

There are limited data concerning pediatric prehospital care, although pediatric prehospital calls constitute 10% of emergency medical services activity. Data from 10 493 prehospital care reports in 11 counties of California (four emergency medical services systems in rural and urban areas) were collected and analyzed. Comparison of urban and rural data found few significant differences in parameters analyzed. Use of the emergency medical services system by pediatric patients increased with age, but 12.5% of all calls were for children younger than 2 years. Calls for medical problems were most common for patients younger than 5 years of age; trauma was a more common complaint in rural areas (64%, P = .0001). Frequency of vital sign assessment differed by region, as did hospital contact (P < .0001). Complete assessment of young pediatric patients, with a full set of vital signs and neurologic assessment, was rarely performed. Advanced life support providers were often on the scene, but advanced life support treatments and procedures were infrequently used. This study suggests the need for additional data on which to base emergency medical services system design and some directions for education of prehospital care providers.

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Standard Precautions Among Emergency Medical Services in Urban and Rural Areas

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079919864118 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 73-80

Author(s):

Riyadh A. Alhazmi ◽

R. David Parker ◽

Sijin Wen

Keyword(s):

West Virginia ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Medical Services ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Standard Precautions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Rural And Urban

Backround: Emergency medical services (EMS) workers are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and frequently exposed to blood and bodily fluids through percutaneous injuries. This study aimed to assess the consistency with which standard precautions (SPs) among rural and urban EMS providers were used. Methods: This study consisted of a cross-sectional survey conducted with a sample of certified EMS providers in West Virginia in which we ascertained details about sociodemographic characteristics, and the frequency of consistent SP. An email invitation was sent to a comprehensive list of agencies obtained from the Office of West Virginia EMS. Findings: A total of 248 out of 522 (47%) EMS providers completed the survey. The majority of the EMS providers (76%) consistently complied with SPs; however, more than one third (38%) of urban EMS providers indicated inconsistent use compared with 19% of rural EMS providers ( p = .002). Most EMS providers reported low prevention practices to exposure of blood and body fluids in both areas. Conclusion/Application to Practice: The results emphasize the need to enhanced safe work practices among EMS providers in both rural and urban areas through education and increasing self-awareness. Occupational health professional in municipalities that serve these workers are instrumental in ensuring these workers are trained and evaluated for their compliance with SPs while in the field.

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