Unequal access to timely care: Geographic variation in prehospital time among injured patients at risk of hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable traumatic deaths, with many fatalities occurring before hospital arrival. Although geographic differences in prehospital time (PHT) are recognized, contemporary national estimates and their implications for resuscitation readiness are not well defined. This study aimed to characterize geographic variation in PHT among trauma patients at risk of hemorrhagic shock to inform strategies for earlier intervention.

STUDY DESIGN AND

METHODS

We analyzed 2020-2023 data from the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Information System (NEMSIS) and included trauma patients aged ≥16 years at risk of hemorrhagic shock, defined as shock index (heart rate/systolic blood pressure) ≥1 at the scene. PHT was defined as the interval from dispatch to hospital arrival and compared across urbanicity (urban, suburban, rural, wilderness) and transport mode (ground or air).

RESULTS

Among 939,335 eligible encounters, the median prehospital time (PHT) differed significantly across urbanicity categories, increasing progressively from urban to wilderness regions (urban 39 min [IQR 30-51], suburban 45 [32-63], rural 50 [34-71], wilderness 56 [37-78]; p < .001). All three components of PHT-system response, scene, and transport time-were longer in rural and wilderness. Total PHTs remained stable, with only minor year-to-year variation. Air PHT was consistently longer than ground PHT (p < .001) and showed no temporal improvement across 2020-2023.

DISCUSSION: National EMS data show persistently prolonged prehospital times for trauma patients at risk of hemorrhagic shock, especially in rural and wilderness areas. Bringing transfusion capability closer to patients through prehospital blood programs may be critical to reducing time-dependent mortality.