A METHOD TO REDUCE RESPONSE-TIMES IN PREHOSPITAL CARE - THE MOTORCYCLE EXPERIENCE

This study compared the response times of a motorcycle and a standard ambulance in a congested urban emergency medical services (EMS) settin g. The study was performed in Taipei, Taiwan, a densely populated urba n area. A basic life support (BLS) motorcycle (without defibrillation capability) and an advanced life support (ALS) ambulance were based at three study hospitals and simultaneously dispatched when there was a perceived need for ALS ambulance transport. Over a 3-month period, pre hospital personnel evaluated 307 medical and trauma emergencies, Time data were insufficient for analysis in 33 cases, leaving a study popul ation of 274. Response times of the motorcycle and the ambulance were prospectively assessed and compared, During rush hours, the response t imes of the motorcycle and ambulance were 4.9 +/- 3.0 minutes and 6.3 +/- 3.4 minutes (P < .05), respectively, and in non-rush hours, 4.2 +/ - 2.1 minutes and 5.1 +/- 2.5 minutes (P < .05), respectively. Using m otorcycles to transport EMTs to the emergency scene significantly redu ced response time compared with a standard ambulance in a congested ur ban setting. Large prospective studies are required to determine the i mpact on patient outcome of shorter EMS response times using motorcycl es. EMS motorcycles appear feasible and deserve consideration to help expedite prehospital care in other systems in densely populated cities . Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.