Time Indices of Prehospital Emergency Services in Ardabil City, Iran, 2020

Background: The role and function of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in people s health and the need for continuous evaluation of its function, especially delivering services to the patients, are essential. So, the present study was conducted to determine the time indices of prehospital emergency services in Ardabil City, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Out of all calls recorded in EMS centers of Ardabil in the first 6 months of 2020, 327 calls, which resulted in the patient s transfer to a hospital, were randomly selected. Then, the required data, including time indices and demographic information, were extracted from EMS forms filled by a medical emergency technician for each mission. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics, including 1-way analysis of variance and the Chi-square test in SPSS v. 22. Results: In terms of time indices, the average delay time (1.01 minutes), the response time (7.87 minutes), on-scene time (13.81 minutes), transport time (12.53 minutes), the total run time (transport time, response time, and onscene time) (35.15 minutes), and the round trip time (52.50) had been recorded. According to the Chisquare test, there was a significant relationship between the total run time (transport time, response time, and onscene time), transport time, round trip time, and the location of the emergency base. Conclusion: EMS time indices were at the desired level. Updating information systems, ambulances, medical equipment, and holding training courses for personnel working in this system can effectively improve time indicators.