Determining the Causes of Ambulance Delays In Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services: The Case Of Karaman Province

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 22, 144 - 151, 31.10.2025

Şevket Emekli , Fatih Budak

https://doi.org/10.48121/jihsam.1750624

Abstract

Pre-hospital emergency medical services, which constitute a significant component of therapeutic health services, are defined as healthcare services provided by trained healthcare professionals in cases of acute illness, accidents, injuries, and similar emergencies - either at the scene or during transport to healthcare facilities - supported by appropriate medical tools and equipment. The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the causes of ambulance delays within pre-hospital emergency medical services in Karaman province, using data from the Emergency Health Automation System (ASOS) for the period between 2021 and 2023. For this purpose, case data from a total of 18 EMS (112 emergency medical service) stations located in both central and peripheral areas of Karaman province were retrieved from ASOS and categorized into urban and rural regions. On an annual basis, detailed analyses were conducted regarding: the status of incoming calls to the command and control center, EMS response times to cases, ambulance delay rates, and the underlying reasons for such delays in these regions. According to the findings, the most significant cause of ambulance delays in both urban and rural areas was identified as out of region assignments.

Keywords

Emergency Health Services , Ambulance Delay Causes , Health Management

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee on 09-2024/208.

Supporting Institution

This study was not financially supported.

Thanks

We thank the Karaman Provincial Directorate of Health for providing permission and support for access to the data used in this research.

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