Improving Rural Emergency Medical Service Response Time With Global Positioning System Navigation

Abstract

Rural emergency medical services (EMS) often serves expansive areas that many EMS personnel are unfamiliar with. EMS response time is increased in rural areas, which has been suggested as a contributing factor to increased mortality rates from motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and nontraumatic emergencies. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a global positioning system (GPS) on rural EMS response time. GPS units were placed in ambulances of a rural EMS provider. The GPS units were set for fastest route (not shortest distance) to the scene that depends on traffic lights and posted road speed. During a 1-year period from September 2006 to August 2007, EMS response time and mileage to the scene were recorded for MVCs and other emergencies. Response times and mileage to the scene were then compared with data from the same EMS provider during a similar 1-year period when GPS technology was not used. EMS calls less than 1-mile were removed from both data sets because GPS was infrequently used for short travel distances. During the 1-year period before utilization of GPS, 893 EMS calls greater than 1 mile were recorded and 791 calls recorded with GPS. The mean EMS response time for MVCs was 8.5 minutes without GPS and 7.6 minutes with GPS (p < 0.0001). When MVCs were matched for miles traveled, mean EMS response time without GPS was 13.7 minutes versus 9.9 minutes with GPS (p < 0.001). GPS technology can significantly improve EMS response time to the scene of MVCs and nontraumatic emergencies.