Prehospital Response Time of the Emergency Medical Service during Mass Casualty Incidents and the Effect of Triage: A Retrospective Study

Johan L. Heemskerk, Kingsley O. Abode-Iyamah, Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, Eric S. Weinstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: Prehospital time affects survival in trauma patients. Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are overwhelming events where medical care exceeds available resources. This study aimed at evaluating the prehospital time during MCIs and investigating the effect of triage. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using Florida's Event Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System database. All patients involved in MCIs during 2018 were accessed, and prehospital time intervals were evaluated and compared to that of non-MCIs. The effect of MCI triage and field triage (Field Triage Criteria) on prehospital time was evaluated. Results: In 2018, it was estimated that 2236 unique MCIs occurred in Florida, with a crude incidence of 10.1-10.9/100000 people. 2180 EMS units arrived at the hospital for patient disposition with a median alarm-To-hospital time of 43.74 minutes, significantly longer than non-MCIs (39.15 min; P < 0.001). MCI triage and field triage were both associated with shorter alarm-To-hospital time (39.37 min and 37.55 min, respectively). Conclusions: MCIs resulted in longer prehospital time intervals than non-MCIs. This finding suggests that additional efforts are needed to reduce the prehospital time for MCI patients. MCI triage and field triage were both associated with shorter alarm-To-hospital times. Widespread use may improve prehospital MCI care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1091-1098
Number of pages8
JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2022

Keywords

  • MCI triage
  • emergency medical service
  • field triage
  • mass casualty incidents
  • prehospital time

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Prehospital Response Time of the Emergency Medical Service during Mass Casualty Incidents and the Effect of Triage: A Retrospective Study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this