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Introduction <p>In many countries, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) serve as the frontline of healthcare systems, playing a critical role in responding to health emergencies, including epidemics and pandemics. Assessing the current preparedness and performance of the EMS, along with regular monitoring, can be essential initial steps in enhancing the EMS system’s ability to respond to health emergencies and disasters. The current study aimed to assess the performance of Hamadan province’s EMS during the coronavirus pandemic, utilizing the standard tool.</p> Methods <p>In a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, all EMS centers in Hamadan province were assessed to evaluate their performance in responding to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 2021. The data were gathered using a standardized 74-question checklist provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, utilizing descriptive statistics (such as frequency, mean, and standard deviation) along with analytical methods, including Spearman’s rank correlation test.</p> Results <p>The results indicated that a majority of the EMS centers in Hamadan province (67%) achieved a favorable score for performance in response to COVID-19. The analysis of the number and types of missions conducted during the study period revealed that the majority (61.5%) of ambulance requests were for clinical emergencies, while only 4.5% were related to respiratory problems suspected of COVID-19. Furthermore, regarding the correlation between EMS center performance score and the variable of “holding training courses on COVID-19 management,” the Spearman’s rank correlation test showed no significant association between the two variables (<i>P</i> = 0.705).</p> Conclusion <p>The findings of this study indicate that, although only a small percentage of the ambulance missions were related to COVID-19, the preparedness and performance of the Hamadan EMS centers in responding to COVID-19 were satisfactory. However, the absence of a dedicated ambulance for COVID-19 patients and the fatigue and emotional exhaustion reported among emergency technicians were challenges faced by Hamadan’s EMS in managing COVID-19. EMS managers and officials need to develop strategies to address these issues.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>

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Examining the performance of the EMS system during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Iran

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

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  • Saeed Rezaee Torkaman,
  • Mehdi Beyrami Jam,
  • Hamid pourasghari,
  • Asgar Aghaei Hashjin

摘要

Introduction

In many countries, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) serve as the frontline of healthcare systems, playing a critical role in responding to health emergencies, including epidemics and pandemics. Assessing the current preparedness and performance of the EMS, along with regular monitoring, can be essential initial steps in enhancing the EMS system’s ability to respond to health emergencies and disasters. The current study aimed to assess the performance of Hamadan province’s EMS during the coronavirus pandemic, utilizing the standard tool.

Methods

In a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, all EMS centers in Hamadan province were assessed to evaluate their performance in responding to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 2021. The data were gathered using a standardized 74-question checklist provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, utilizing descriptive statistics (such as frequency, mean, and standard deviation) along with analytical methods, including Spearman’s rank correlation test.

Results

The results indicated that a majority of the EMS centers in Hamadan province (67%) achieved a favorable score for performance in response to COVID-19. The analysis of the number and types of missions conducted during the study period revealed that the majority (61.5%) of ambulance requests were for clinical emergencies, while only 4.5% were related to respiratory problems suspected of COVID-19. Furthermore, regarding the correlation between EMS center performance score and the variable of “holding training courses on COVID-19 management,” the Spearman’s rank correlation test showed no significant association between the two variables (P = 0.705).

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that, although only a small percentage of the ambulance missions were related to COVID-19, the preparedness and performance of the Hamadan EMS centers in responding to COVID-19 were satisfactory. However, the absence of a dedicated ambulance for COVID-19 patients and the fatigue and emotional exhaustion reported among emergency technicians were challenges faced by Hamadan’s EMS in managing COVID-19. EMS managers and officials need to develop strategies to address these issues.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable.