Citation

Heggie TW, Heggie TJ. Travel Med. Infect. Dis. 2009; 7(1): 19-24.

Affiliation

Recreation&Tourism Studies Program, University of North Dakota, University Mail Stop #7116, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA; Great Plains Injury Prevention Research Initiative, University of North Dakota, University Mail Stop 8235, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.tmaid.2008.12.002

PMID

19174296

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Providing emergency medical services (EMS) in popular tourist destinations such as National Parks requires an understanding of the availability and demand for EMS. This study examines the EMS workload, EMS transportation methods, EMS funding, and EMS provider status in California's National Park Service units. METHODS: A retrospective review of data from the 2005 Annual Emergency Medical Services Report for National Park Service (NPS) units in California. RESULTS: Sixteen NPS units in California reported EMS activity. EMS program funding and training costs totaled USD $1,071,022. During 2005 there were 84 reported fatalities, 910 trauma incidents, 663 non-cardiac medicals, 129 cardiac incidents, and 447 first aid incidents. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Death Valley National Park accounted for 83% of the total EMS case workload. Ground transports accounted for 85% of all EMS transports and Emergency Medical Technicians with EMT-basic (EMT-B) training made up 76% of the total 373 EMS providers. CONCLUSIONS: Providing EMS for tourists can be a challenging task. As tourist endeavors increase globally and move into more remote environments, the level of EMS operations in California's NPS units can serve as a model for developing EMS operations serving tourist populations.

Language: en