Evaluating state capacity to collect and analyze emergency medical services data.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Centralized emergency medical services (EMS) data collection is critical to evaluating EMS system effectiveness, yet a general lack of EMS data persists at local, state, and national levels. OBJECTIVE: To assess state capacity to collect, analyze, and utilize EMS data. METHODS: Information was gathered through state site visits and surveys from 54 states and U.S. territories in spring 2003 regarding EMS data-collection systems. Survey results were used to create 11 broad indicators that assess state data system infrastructure, collection methods, compliance with data standards, and data uses. RESULTS: States and territories on average met 59% of the EMS data system indicators, with four states meeting all 11 indicators and two states meeting none. Seventy-six percent of the states reported having state-level EMS data-collection systems, and 78% reported having authority to collect EMS data. However, most state EMS data sets were not capturing information on all EMS incidents, and only 46% of the states had data dictionaries containing at least three-fourths of nationally recommended EMS data elements. In addition, only 33% of the states had linked EMS data with other health data sets to analyze EMS system operations and patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: While EMS data systems exist in the majority of states, continued attention and resources are needed for state-level EMS data system development to improve capacity for evaluation of emergency medical services.