EMS Response Time Is Associated with Traffic Accident Mortality

Counties with faster median EMS response times experienced lower motor vehicle collision death rates in this population-based study.

Emergency medical services (EMS) is often the first link in the chain of survival for time-critical injury and illness, and trauma systems of care serve to reduce preventable deaths. How timely EMS response to motor vehicle collisions (MVC) impacts outcomes in these systems of care is unclear.

These authors analyzed data from several population-level datasets from 2013 to 2015, including the National EMS Information System, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and U.S. census. Analyses adjusted for important potential confounders, including population factors, access to trauma centers and helicopters, EMS on-scene and transport times, and traffic safety laws. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality at the county level, including …

Reviewing Author

Jason T. McMullan, MD, MS, FAEMS

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardEMCREG International

Grant/Research SupportNIH; Department of Defense

Editorial BoardsJournal of Emergency Medical Services

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Association of EMS Physicians (Chair, Research Committee)