Matt:

Is it time for us to admit that response times really do not matter clinically in more than 3 percent or so of our calls and recognize that it is really just a customer service issue?  I know that is not a politically correct approach to take with a brain washed public, but I have looked at lots of data and it just does not seem to matter in outcomes in all but a few cases. 

I look forward to your articles because you always seem to stimulate my dormant brain cells.  Thank you for being strong advocate for EMS.

Gary Atherton
Porter EMS
Valparaiso, IN

Hi Gary...
 
Thanks so much for your feedback and kind words... 
 
You are 100% correct about both of your points.  In very few cases does response time truly matter in EMS, but we as a profession have created the public expectation for "right here - right now".  We have also done little to foster the acceptance of performance standards other than response times.  That is largely because we do not have not invested the same time or energy into developing clinically-based performance standards.  We have also unfortunately used response times as a basis for market competition, further crystallizing this flawed system benchmark.
 
The Institute of Medicine report cites several opportunities for us to seriously look at evidence-based practices that can be objectively measured and reported. 
 
If we truly care about the patient, or personnel, the motoring public, and the future of our profession, we will grasp that opportunity and begin using benchmarks that actually make a difference in the patient's outcome.
 
Thanks for writing!
Matt