The Efficiency of Motorlance in Comparison with Ambulance in Shiraz, Southern Iran

Background: In Emergency Medical Systems (EMS), decreasing the arrival time for patients is an important factor and as a result, in recent decades motorcycle ambulance (motorlance) is being used in EMS centers for missions called for in crowded, rural and arduous areas. This study was done to evaluate the impact of using motorcycles on arrival time of EMS technicians to the scene. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on the information of 1727 motorlance and 44426 ambulance missions in Shiraz EMS. One of these motors was settled in the arduous locations and the other in very crowded areas according to traffic statistical information. We compared the results of motorlance and ambulance missions with each other. Results: There was a considerable decrease in referring patients to the hospital in motorlance missions, probably due to the right performance of the dispatch operators, and also the significant decreased arrival time in motorlance missions. Conclusion: Although we can improve the efficiency of the motorcycle ambulance through appropriate screening of age, sex, cause and time of the accident, teaching dispatch operator to select the appropriate cases for dispatching motorlances is one of the principles that should be considered. More precise information is needed to locate proper positions for motorlance missions and timely dispatching.