Emergency medical services (EMS) are an essential component of the healthcare system, providing medical care and transportation to patients in urgent and emergency situations. EMS professionals are trained to provide life-saving interventions and rapid transport to hospitals for those in need.
In this article, we will explore EMS statistics to provide insights into the state of emergency medical services today.
Key Emergency Medical Services Statistics 2023 – MY Choice
- In the United States, there are approximately 22,000 ambulance services, responding to more than 35 million calls for emergency medical services (EMS) each year.
- The average response time for an EMS unit in the United States is approximately 8 minutes.
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 33,244 motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2019, and approximately 17 percent of those fatalities involved a large truck or bus.
- In 2018, there were 1.7 million emergency department visits related to traumatic brain injury in the United States.
- The most common reasons for EMS responses are respiratory distress (19%), chest pain (12%), and falls (12%).
- In 2019, there were 382 reported EMS-related fatalities in the United States.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, the leading causes of death in the United States were heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries (including those from motor vehicle crashes and unintentional falls).
- The number of EMS providers in the United States is approximately 826,000.
- In 2019, EMS providers responded to more than 95,000 cardiac arrests in the United States.
- In 2018, there were approximately 16.9 million emergency department visits related to injury in the United States.
Emergency Medical Services Stats
Table 1: Pediatric patients in emergency medical services
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Pediatric patients in all ED visits | 27.3% |
| Pediatric patients in all EMS transports | 13% |
Table 2: Characteristics of EMS professionals
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Proportion of females earning EMT certification | 28% (2008) to 35% (2017) |
| Proportion of females earning paramedic certification | Less than one-fourth throughout study period |
| Proportion of EMS professionals identifying as black | Near 5% among EMTs and 3% among paramedics |
| Proportion of newly certified Hispanic EMS professionals | Rose from 10% to 13% among EMTs and from 6% to 10% among paramedics |
Table 3: EMS violence exposure and accident prevention
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Career exposure to verbal/physical violence | Between 57% and 93% |
| Percentage of accidents preventable | 75% if all EMS vehicles stop at intersections |
Table 4: Diagnoses and frequent users in EMS
| Diagnostic Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Superfrequent users (%) | 41.61% (primarily substance abuse/misuse) |
| Low frequent users (%) | 53.33% (reoccurring diagnosis) |
| Primary diagnosis for EMS transports | 50% or more for mental health or substance abuse for the respective categories |
Table 5: EMS costs and frequent users
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost of a single ground ambulance transport (USD) | $224 to $2,204 (2010) |
| Reduction in EMS use with weekly case management | 32% decrease in 10 frequent users |
Table 6: Characteristics of frequent users in EMS
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Proportion of males among frequent users | More males in all groups |
| Proportion of males among super frequent users | 68.5% |
| Proportion of elderly among low and medium | Highest percentage of elderly |
| Follow-up care referral for low frequent users | 72.38% received no referral for care |
| Characteristics associated with frequent use | Four or more admissions, primarily substance abuse/misuse diagnoses |
Table 7: Stroke patients and EMS use
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Patients with hospital arrival by EMS | 63.7% |
| Mean age of patients | 69.9±14.6 years |
| Proportion of female patients | 50.4% |
| Proportion of non-male patients | 70.5% |
| Factors associated with EMS use | Older age, more severe stroke, more stroke risk factors |
Table 8: Statistical analysis
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Hypothesis testing error rate | 5% |
| Kappa statistic for patient categorization | 0.9491 with 96.23% agreement |
| Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) for different groups | No hospital admissions, mental health diagnosis, no referral for follow-up care |
EMS Response Time Statistics
Emergency response time is one of the critical factors in the success of emergency medical services. Below are some EMS response time statistics:
- The average response time for EMS to arrive on the scene of an emergency is 7 minutes.
- The response time for urban EMS services is typically faster than rural services.
- The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that the response time for EMS should be 8 minutes or less.
EMS Transport Statistics
Transporting patients to the hospital is a crucial aspect of emergency medical services. Here are some EMS transport statistics:
- On average, EMS transports approximately 14 million patients per year in the United States.
- EMS transports about 25% of all patients transported to hospitals.
- The average ambulance transport time to the hospital is 30 minutes.
EMS Patient Demographics Statistics
Understanding the demographics of patients who utilize emergency medical services can provide insights into the needs of communities. Below are some EMS patient demographics statistics:
- The majority of EMS patients are over 65 years old.
- Males are more likely to need EMS than females.
- African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to use EMS than other ethnic groups.
EMS Treatment Statistics
Emergency medical services provide treatment to patients before they arrive at the hospital. Here are some EMS treatment statistics:
- EMS professionals use a range of treatments, including basic life support, advanced life support, and critical care transport.
- The most common reason for EMS transport is chest pain or discomfort.
- Nearly 70% of EMS calls do not require hospitalization.
EMS Staffing Statistics
Emergency medical services rely on a skilled workforce to provide high-quality care. Here are some EMS staffing statistics:
- There are over 250,000 EMS professionals in the United States.
- The majority of EMS professionals are EMTs (emergency medical technicians), with a smaller number of paramedics.
- The average salary for an EMS professional in the United States is $36,000 per year.
EMS Equipment Statistics
EMS equipment is essential for providing medical care and transportation to patients in emergency situations. Here are some EMS equipment statistics:
- Ambulances are equipped with a range of medical equipment, including defibrillators, oxygen tanks, and stretchers.
- The cost of a new ambulance ranges from $100,000 to $250,000.
- The use of technology in EMS, such as telemedicine and mobile apps, is becoming increasingly popular.
EMS Funding and Budget Statistics
Funding and budgets are crucial for ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of emergency medical services. Here are some EMS funding and budget statistics:
- The majority of EMS services in the United States are funded by local governments.
- EMS budgets are often limited, with many services struggling to meet the costs of operations and equipment.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional financial strain on EMS services.
EMS Education and Training Statistics
Education and training are critical for ensuring that EMS professionals have the knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care. Here are some EMS education and training statistics:
- EMS professionals are required to complete continuing education to maintain their certification.
- Many EMS professionals receive their training through community colleges or technical schools.
- In 2020, the global ambulance service market was valued at $20.5 billion and is expected to reach $31.6 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.3%.
- In the United States, the average response time for EMS services is 7 minutes and 59 seconds.
- Cardiac arrest is one of the most common reasons for EMS calls, accounting for approximately 13% of all calls.
- The most common age group for EMS patients is between 50-64 years old, followed by 65 years and older.
- In the United States, there are approximately 21,000 EMS agencies, which include fire departments, third-party organizations, and hospital-based services.
- In 2019, EMS providers in the United States responded to 28.5 million 911 calls.
- The global air ambulance services market was valued at $4.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $9.5 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 10.3%.
- The most common injuries that require air ambulance services include spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and severe burns.
- In 2020, the global medical transport services market was valued at $45.5 billion and is expected to reach $86.4 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.9%.
- In the United States, the cost of an ambulance ride can range from $300 to $3,000 or more, depending on the distance traveled and the level of care needed.
- The average salary for an EMS worker in the United States is $36,650 per year.
- In 2020, the global telemedicine market was valued at $56.7 billion and is expected to reach $191.7 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 22.4%.
- Telemedicine is becoming increasingly popular in the EMS industry, allowing providers to remotely assess patients and provide medical advice.
- The most common medications administered by EMS providers include epinephrine, aspirin, and nitroglycerin.
- In 2020, the global market for EMS software was valued at $1.3 billion and is expected to reach $3.7 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 15.3%.
- EMS software can help providers manage patient information, track inventory, and automate billing and scheduling.
- In the United States, approximately 50% of EMS providers are volunteers.
- EMS providers often work long hours and irregular schedules, with shifts lasting up to 24 hours.
- The most common types of EMS vehicles include ambulances, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft.
The Importance of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Emergency medical services (EMS) play a vital role in providing lifesaving care to individuals in need. From responding to 911 calls to providing critical care during transport, EMS providers are often the first line of defense in emergency situations. The following statistics highlight the importance of EMS and the impact it has on communities around the world.
EMS Market Size and Growth
The EMS market has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by factors such as an aging population, rising healthcare costs, and technological advancements. According to recent reports, the global EMS market was valued at $20.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $31.6 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.3%. Additionally, the global air ambulance services market was valued at $4.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $9.5 billion by 202
