Summary
Response times in paramedic ambulance service priority 1 and 2 emergencies
Lira Villavicencio M
Affiliation of the authors
Graduate in Technology for Medical Emergencies and Disasters. Assisted Emergency Transport System STAE-ESSALUD, Lima, Peru.
DOI
Quote
Lira Villavicencio M. Response times in paramedic ambulance service priority 1 and 2 emergencies. Emergencias. 2008;20:316-21
Summary
Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study of all paramedic-attended ambulance
transfers to hospital in priority 1 and 2 emergencies in February and March 2003 in
urban areas of the provinces of Lima and Callao, Peru.
Results: Data were collected on 258 level 1 and 2 emergency transfers. Response times
averaged 24 minutes (SD, 14 minutes) in priority 1 cases; 13% of the priority 1 transfers
were completed within 8 minutes. In priority 2 cases, response times averaged 27
minutes (SD, 13.4 minutes); 1% of these transfers were completed within 8 minutes.
Delays were caused by long distances traveled to reach patients (29%), heavy traffic
(24%), and inaccurate information (13%). The average return-trip speed (distance
covered divided by duration of round trip) was 26 km/h (SD, 15 km/h) for priority 1
emergencies and 27 km/h (SD, 18 km/h) for priority 2 calls.
Conclusion: These transfer times show that there are still areas where improvements can
be made if the service is to reach international standards.