"Challenges and Disparities in Rural Emergency Medical Services Across America"
A study of over 26 million 911 responses in the US revealed that a third of suspected stroke patients did not receive a stroke assessment, and only 16% of trauma patients experienced improved pain after treatment by EMS agencies. Additionally, 39% of children with wheezing or asthma attacks did not receive breathing treatments. Disparities in care were noted between rural and urban EMS agencies, with rural agencies less likely to treat low blood sugar or improve pain for trauma patients. The study emphasizes the need to shift focus from response times to performance measures that directly impact patient care and calls for quality improvement collaboratives to address these disparities.
