Comparative Study of Uses and Characteristics of Emergency Medical Service between Islands and Urban Areas

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Despite the development of transportation, accessibility of medical service on islands is still poor. Therefore, providing adequate emergency medical services is becoming more important. The purpose of this study is to measure and describe utilization patterns of emergency medical services for the residents of islands. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study of transported patients who live on islands and in urban areas from January 1st, 2011 to December 31th, 2013 was conducted. Through review of emergency medical technician (EMT) transfer records, the demographic information of transferred patients, the frequency of emergency medical services (EMS) activation, and the characteristics of transfer were collected. RESULTS: A total of 31,690 people were included; 29,064 people of urban areas and 2,626 people of islands. The mean age was older in the residents of islands (66+/-19 years old vs. 50+/-24 years old, p<0.001). For the residents of islands, the landline phone is the most common means of EMS activation (36.4% vs 29.9%, p<0.001), and the highest frequency of EMS activation was June (10.9% vs. 9.0% in August, p<0.001). The distance of transfer was longer for islands (5 min, 2-12) compared with urban areas (3 min, 2-4) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The above is an important indicator of specificity and form of urban residents and island residents using the EMS. It is our purpose that efficient EMS service be provided depending on each specificity.