Rural Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Trauma – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Trauma.
The Effect of Rural Hospital Closures on Emergency Medical Service Response and Transport Times
Examines ways in which rural hospital closures affect EMS response time, transport time, and total activation time, using data from 2010-2016. Features statistics comparing rates prior to rural hospital closure and immediately post-closure.
Author(s): Katherine E.M. Miller, Hailey J. James, George Mark Holmes, Courtney H. Van Houtven
Citation: Health Services Research, 55(2), 288-300
Date: 04/2020
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Examines ways in which rural hospital closures affect EMS response time, transport time, and total activation time, using data from 2010-2016. Features statistics comparing rates prior to rural hospital closure and immediately post-closure.
Author(s): Katherine E.M. Miller, Hailey J. James, George Mark Holmes, Courtney H. Van Houtven
Citation: Health Services Research, 55(2), 288-300
Date: 04/2020
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Exploring State Data Sources to Monitor Rural Emergency Medical Services Performance Improvement
Examines potential sources of data that State Flex Programs (SFPs) could utilize to analyze and improve rural emergency medical services (EMS). Discusses challenges facing rural EMS systems and the assessment of these systems by SFPs. Explores how SFPs can support rural EMS data collection initiatives.
Author(s): John Gale, Karen Pearson, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Examines potential sources of data that State Flex Programs (SFPs) could utilize to analyze and improve rural emergency medical services (EMS). Discusses challenges facing rural EMS systems and the assessment of these systems by SFPs. Explores how SFPs can support rural EMS data collection initiatives.
Author(s): John Gale, Karen Pearson, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Rural Emergency Medical Services Integration
Outlines tools and strategies for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to use when integrating with other healthcare providers. Discusses approaches to the integration of medical direction, medical protocols, quality reviews, training and continuing education, and operations, among other topics.
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Paramedic Foundation, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Outlines tools and strategies for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to use when integrating with other healthcare providers. Discusses approaches to the integration of medical direction, medical protocols, quality reviews, training and continuing education, and operations, among other topics.
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Paramedic Foundation, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Mobile Telehealth Units and Care Coordinators Improve Emergency Care Services for Rural Arizona Patients
Features an Arizona program focused on lowering ER readmissions through care coordination and EMS telehealth services. Explains how the telehealth services are provided via mobile telehealth units. Describes how care coordination helps meet the behavioral health needs of patients with chronic diseases.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features an Arizona program focused on lowering ER readmissions through care coordination and EMS telehealth services. Explains how the telehealth services are provided via mobile telehealth units. Describes how care coordination helps meet the behavioral health needs of patients with chronic diseases.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Making Informed Decisions about Rural EMS
Provides an overview of the Informed Self-Determination Process, which can help a rural community make an informed decision about the level of emergency medical services (EMS) response the community wants and will support. Highlights how this approach was used in St. George, Maine.
Author(s): Tami Lichtenberg
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Provides an overview of the Informed Self-Determination Process, which can help a rural community make an informed decision about the level of emergency medical services (EMS) response the community wants and will support. Highlights how this approach was used in St. George, Maine.
Author(s): Tami Lichtenberg
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Recruitment and Retention: Overcoming the Rural EMS Dilemma
Reports on rural emergency medical services (EMS) workforce challenges and identifies innovative approaches to meet these challenges, highlighting programs in several states. Includes a list of 4 EMS recruitment and retention tactics for rural communities.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2018
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Reports on rural emergency medical services (EMS) workforce challenges and identifies innovative approaches to meet these challenges, highlighting programs in several states. Includes a list of 4 EMS recruitment and retention tactics for rural communities.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2018
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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EMS Leaders Speak
Five experts discuss emergency medical services in a changing rural healthcare delivery system. Topics addressed include EMS challenges and potential opportunities, such as community paramedicine and telehealth.
Author(s): Kevin McGinnis, Diane Calmus, Don Wood, Tom Nehring, Gary Wingrove
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2016
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Five experts discuss emergency medical services in a changing rural healthcare delivery system. Topics addressed include EMS challenges and potential opportunities, such as community paramedicine and telehealth.
Author(s): Kevin McGinnis, Diane Calmus, Don Wood, Tom Nehring, Gary Wingrove
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2016
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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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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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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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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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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2011 National EMS Assessment
Provides a comprehensive description of emergency medical services (EMS), EMS emergency preparedness, and 911 systems at state and national levels. Chapters 9, 10, 158, and 194 discuss rural EMS, including rural status, rural patient transports, and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Greg Mears, Beth Armstrong, Antonio R. Fernandez, et al.
Date: 12/2011
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Provides a comprehensive description of emergency medical services (EMS), EMS emergency preparedness, and 911 systems at state and national levels. Chapters 9, 10, 158, and 194 discuss rural EMS, including rural status, rural patient transports, and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Greg Mears, Beth Armstrong, Antonio R. Fernandez, et al.
Date: 12/2011
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
- Emergency department and urgent care services
- Emergency medical services
- Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
Last Updated: 6/9/2025