June 2023
Volume 64, Issue 8
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2023
Emergency medical services benchmark times for open globe injuries in the United States, 2017–2021
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Shane Thomas Meledathu
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States
  • Hassaam Choudhry
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States
  • Helen Nguyen
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States
  • Skyler Peterson
    National Emergency Medical Services (NEMSIS) Technical Assistance Center, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
  • Benjamin Fisher
    National Emergency Medical Services (NEMSIS) Technical Assistance Center, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
  • Marco A Zarbin
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States
  • Neelakshi Bhagat
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Shane Meledathu None; Hassaam Choudhry None; Helen Nguyen None; Skyler Peterson None; Benjamin Fisher None; Marco Zarbin None; Neelakshi Bhagat None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2023, Vol.64, 4412. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Shane Thomas Meledathu, Hassaam Choudhry, Helen Nguyen, Skyler Peterson, Benjamin Fisher, Marco A Zarbin, Neelakshi Bhagat; Emergency medical services benchmark times for open globe injuries in the United States, 2017–2021. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2023;64(8):4412.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose : Timely access to medical care for open globe injuries (OGIs) may improve clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe emergency medical services (EMS) response and scene times for OGIs.

Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed using 2017–2021 data from the National EMS Information System. Characteristics of EMS activations for OGI cases at primary impression were recorded including: age, sex, day of week, time of day, response mode to scene, region, and urbanicity. Multivariable binary logistic regression measured significant predictors of meeting the “8-minute response time” and “15-minute scene time”, the EMS benchmarks.

Results : Our study identified 89,038 eligible EMS activations for OGI. Most encounters involved males (55%), were emergent responses to the scene (lights and sirens) (85%), and were in urban areas (80%). EMS encounters for older age groups relative to the 1-15 years age group were significantly more likely to meet the 8-minute response time (OR=1.282, 95%CI=1.185–1.388) but less likely to meet the 15-minute scene time benchmark (OR=0.603, 95%CI=0.592–0.646). Emergent response to the scene was associated with greater adherence to the 8-minute (OR=1.811, 95%CI=1.737–1.888) but not the 15-minute (OR=0.923, 95%CI=0.887–0.962) benchmark. EMS response times in the Midwest compared to the West were significantly more likely to meet benchmark times (OR=1.369, 95%CI=1.296–1.446) while the South was less likely to meet the 8-minute response time (OR=0.705, 95%CI=0.672–0.739). Furthermore, response times in rural (OR=0.784, 95%CI=0.732–0.841) regions vs the urban areas were significantly less likely to meet response time benchmarks. EMS encounters with female patients relative to males were significantly less likely to meet the 15-minute scene time benchmark (OR=0.856, 95%CI=0.833–0.880).

Conclusions : Our findings suggest regional and demographic disparities exist in ambulatory response and scene times for severe ocular injuries. This is especially true for those who are older adults, females, and those located in the wilderness or rural areas. Future investigations should continue to highlight barriers to accessibility of care for medical emergencies such as ocular trauma.

This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.

×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×