Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Medical Service: A Comparative Analysis from Iran

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted healthcare systems and utilization, particularly within emergency services. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the impact of the first year following the onset of COVID-19 on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with the corresponding period prior to the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study compared EMS mission types and numbers in Kermanshah province, Iran, during 2020 with the equivalent pre-pandemic period (2019). Differences between periods were analyzed using Student’s t-test. Results: During the pandemic, dispatch calls increased substantially (80.07%; P < 0.05). The total number of EMS missions remained similar (1.63%; P < 0.05), but there was a shift from injury-related to disease-related missions (P < 0.05). The proportion of missions without patients rose by over 40% during the pandemic, while deaths before EMS arrival and on-scene cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) increased by more than 30%. Field childbirths also tripled during the pandemic period. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic markedly altered EMS operations and patient outcomes. The EMS organizations should anticipate such changes in future pandemics and communicate potential delays in healthcare services to the public.