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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency medical services

How EMS in Rural Methow Valley, Washington, Coped with a Devastating Wildfire
Describes the emergency medical service (EMS) response in the aftermath of a wildfire, in which patients and providers were cut off from hospitals, 911 coverage, and power. Shows the importance of advanced preparedness and planning by rural EMS agencies.
Author(s): Cindy Button
Citation: JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services), 39(10), 46-9
Date: 10/2014
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Responding to Medical Surge in Rural Communities: Practices for Immediate Bed Availability
Describes strategies and practices that enable local health departments and healthcare organizations serving rural areas to assist their communities during emergencies resulting in medical surge. Explores ways to ensure adequate levels of care for all patients, including telehealth services and integrated information sharing systems.
Date: 09/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Paediatric Trauma on the Last Frontier: An 11-Year Review of Injury Mechanisms, High-Risk Injury Patterns and Outcomes in Alaskan Children
Describes the development of a pediatric trauma system in remote, very rural, and urban Alaska from 2001 to 2011 using trauma data for all children 17 years and under. Includes comparative data for the type of injury and frequency, geographic region, high risk patterns, and outcomes.
Author(s): Christopher W. Snyder, Oliver J. Muensterer, Frank Sacco, Shawn D. Safford
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 73(1)
Date: 08/2014
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A Systems Development Guide for Rural Emergency Medical Services: A Systematic Approach to Generate Budgets for Rural Emergency Medical Services
Guidebook designed to help rural emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency response systems with development, modification, consolidation, and collaboration. Discusses EMS system upgrades, administration, funding, and budgeting.
Additional links: How to Use the EMS Budget Generator, Rural EMS Budget Generator
Author(s): Cheryl F. St. Clair
Date: 08/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Rural Health Works
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Pediatric Emergency Care Capabilities of Indian Health Service Emergency Medical Service Agencies Serving American Indians/Alaska Natives in Rural and Frontier Areas
Analyzes the Indian Health Service's (IHS) emergency medical services (EMS) agencies providing services for children. Discusses the importance of EMS services for healthcare access and challenges IHS EMS agencies face.
Author(s): Andrea L. Genovesi, Betty Hastings, Elizabeth A. Edgerton, Lenora Olson
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 14(2), 2688
Date: 05/2014
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Rural Emergency Medical Technician Pre-Hospital Electrocardiogram Transmission
Rural communities face challenges to rapid emergency response services for heart attacks, mostly related to prolonged travel time. As a strategy to address this, this research article sought evidence of the risks and benefits associated with electrocardiogram (ECG) protocols, which urban ambulance teams staffed with paramedic level providers have been successful in implementing.
Author(s): Angela Powell, Joshua Halon, Jessica Nelson
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 14(2), 2690
Date: 05/2014
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The Evidence for Community Paramedicine in Rural Areas: State and Local Findings and the Role of the State Flex Program
Examines the role of the Flex program in supporting state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in rural communities. Analyses the evidence base for community paramedicine in rural communities, the role of community paramedics in rural healthcare delivery systems, and the challenges faced by states in implementing community paramedicine programs.
Author(s): Karen Pearson, John Gale, George Shaler
Date: 02/2014
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient 2014
Discusses regional trauma systems and levels of trauma centers. Chapter 13 focuses on rural trauma care.
Author(s): Michael F. Rotondo, Chris Cribari, R. Stephen Smith
Date: 2014
Sponsoring organization: American College of Surgeons
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Emergency Medical Services Response to Motor Vehicle Crashes in Rural Areas: A Synthesis of Highway Practice
Identifies potential factors that may help reduce the time necessary to provide effective medical care to vehicle crash victims on rural roads. Includes rural statistics and data.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 04/2013
Sponsoring organization: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
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A National Agenda for Community Paramedicine Research
Summarizes comments from community paramedicine stakeholders at an October 2012 meeting on community paramedicine. Includes discussion and collaboration aimed at building a national evidence base on community paramedicine.
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman
Date: 02/2013
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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