Adequacy of placement of EMS units in Central Poland based on an analysis of interventions in road accidents

INTRODUCTION: Road accidents lead to injuries which are one of the most common causes of hospitalisation in trauma centres. Proper placement and number of EMS units determine quick arrival in the scene of accident and need for transport to the adequate healthcare entity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis was carried out of the profile of the patient, the distance to the scene of accident as well as the allocation of accident casualties to healthcare entities. A statistical analysis was conducted by means of the Chi-Square Test of Independence and the Kruskal-Wallis test by ranks. RESULTS: Distances between the scenes of accidents and places where EMS units were stationed was from 0.5 to 37 kilometres (mean: 9.8 km). 170 patients participated in the accidents. Most frequently, these were males at the age from 21 to 40 (mean: 35.77 ± 15.45). The most common diagnoses according to ICD-10 were injuries to the head (42.7%) and injuries of lower limbs (12%). In most cases, the accident casualties were transported to the Emergency Department in Łuków. 21 patients in total were placed in hospital facilities outside the catchment area. The Polish Medical Air Rescue transported the 10 patients in the most severe condition. CONCLUSIONS: Road accidents are most frequently experienced by middle-aged men. Injuries to the head and of lower limbs are the most common injuries. The placement of EMS units in the area under analysis is optimal, but the mean distance covered by the ambulance to reach to scene of accident is nearly 10 kilometres. Despite the presence of the Emergency Department in Łuków, one in ten injured patient warrants transport outside the catchment area and almost 6% of patients qualify for transport by air.