Effects of different crash data variables on EMS response time for a rural county in alabama

Abstract

Response time of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is an important factor related to preventable deaths in road crash incidents. This study focuses on analyzing the effects of different independent variables on the EMS Response Time (ERT). Independent variables considered for this investigation are travel time, day of the week, crash severity, weather, time of the day, and lighting condition. Understanding outcomes resulting from variations of the considered parameters on ERT is crucial to minimize the possibility of adverse outcomes which are tied to different types of injuries, and vital to limit the prospect of fatalities. Crash data used for this study is from a rural county in Alabama where only one EMS control location is available. Results from the analysis indicate that ERT becomes larger as travel time increases. ERT is also larger on weekends than on weekdays. ERT is larger in the evening and night when compared with morning. When the weather is clear or cloudy, the ERT parameter is shorter. But when the weather is extreme, with mist, fog, or rain, the parameter is longer. When roads are dark, ERT is long. When daylight is present, the ERT is shorter. If the crash is fatal, the parameter is longer compared with situations when crash injuries are non-severe.

Traumatic Brain Injury Under Triage Risk: A Rural Trauma System Experience

“…11 Further, false negative significant TBI cases were most likely among females who experienced ground-level falls. 11 The significant pre-existing comorbidities of personality disorders and anticoagulation therapy had an impact on the 12 There was a 75% reduction in odds if a transferred-in TBI trauma patient with a comorbidity of anticoagulation therapy would be under triaged. This would indicate that the prehospital providers identified an increased risk of TBI severity due to anticoagulation contributing to the initiation of an intracranial bleed after blunt head trauma.…”

“…Poor communication and coordination compounded by low quality victim management are known challenges that impact prehospital care. 12 There was a 75% reduction in odds if a transferred-in TBI trauma patient with a comorbidity of anticoagulation therapy would be under triaged. This would indicate that the prehospital providers identified an increased risk of TBI severity due to anticoagulation contributing to the initiation of an intracranial bleed after blunt head trauma.…”

Ambulance Response in Eight Minutes or Less: Are Comorbidities a Factor

“…1 A recent publication described the majority of trauma-related deaths (86%) occur before hospital arrival and of those deaths 39% were considered preventable. 1 There are six known challenges that may extend scene times, which include poor management of the scene, lack of rules and regulations, poor time management, inadequate training, poor communication and coordination, and low quality of victim management. 1 Evaluating EMS performance measures is critical, particularly in a rural trauma system.…”

“…1 There are six known challenges that may extend scene times, which include poor management of the scene, lack of rules and regulations, poor time management, inadequate training, poor communication and coordination, and low quality of victim management. 1 Evaluating EMS performance measures is critical, particularly in a rural trauma system. One of the most common EMS performance measurements is the response time threshold (RTT), which is easily quantifiable.…”

“…The scene time is defined as the initial call for dispatch and the arrival of EMS, which is an important element regarding the possibility of early mortality. 1 Early arrival times lead to expedited stabilization and timely triage. 1 A recent publication described the majority of trauma-related deaths (86%) occur before hospital arrival and of those deaths 39% were considered preventable.…”