Spatial access and local demand for emergency medical services in utah

Emergency Medical Services form the backbone of the prehospital emergency medical care system in the United States. Prompt treatment and transport to a definitive care facility provide the greatest chance for reduced morbidity and mortality. People’s ability to use this public service can be a determinant of their wellbeing, as well as a measure of community disaster preparedness. The objective of this study is to measure spatial access to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems, and to quantify local demand for these services. EMS facilities and population location data are mapped across Utah. Spatial access is measured using an enhanced two-step floating catchment area method (E2SFCA) that incorporates both travel time and EMS ground transport capacity. Demand is estimated from the EMS spatial access metric and local population count. Results are evaluated using actual response times and patient death rates. The study finds that the 2SFCA method adequately measures relative access across large areas that encompass multiple service regions. In conclusion, additional improvements and future research potential are discussed.