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The Wake-Effect—Emergency Vehicle-Related Collisions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Jeff J. Clawson ,
Robert L. Martin ,
Geoff A. Cady  and
Ronald F. Maio
Jeff J. Clawson*
Affiliation:
Medical Director, Gold Cross Ambulance and Medical Priority Consultants, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Robert L. Martin
Affiliation:
Executive Director, National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Geoff A. Cady
Affiliation:
EMS Consultant, Medical Priority Consultants, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Ronald F. Maio
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
*
Medical Director, Gold Cross Ambulance and Medical, Priority Consultants, 139 East South Temple, Suite #500, Salt Lake City, UT 84111USA
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Abstract

Introduction:

Emergency medical vehicle collisions (EMVCs) occurring during initia response and with patient transport have been a long-standing problem for emergency medical services (EMS) systems. Experience suggests “wake-effect” collision occur as a result of an EMS vehicle's transit, but do not involve the emergency medical vehicle (EMV). Substantiating the existence and magnitude of wake-effect collisions may have major implications regarding the manner of EMV response.

Hypothesis:

Paramedics will report that wake-effect collisions do occur and that the occur more frequently than do EMVCs.

Methods:

Design: Survey analysis. Participants: Thirty paramedics employed by the Salt Lake City (Utah) Fire Department and 45 paramedics employed by Salt Lake County Fire Department. Geographic Area: Service area has population of 650,000 and is urban, suburban, and rural. Measurements: The survey consisted of three openended questions concerning years on the job, EMVCs, and wake-effect collisions. Analysis: The mean value for the number of EMVCs and wake-effect EMVCs, along with the 0.95 confidence intervals (0.95 CI) were determined.

Results:

Seventy-three surveys were analyzed. Sixty EMVCs and 255 wake-effect collisions were reported. Overall, the mea value for the number EMVCs per respondent was 0.82 (0.60–1.05) and for wake-effect collisions 3.49 (2.42–4.55). The mean values for EMVC's for each service were 0.86 (0.50–1.38); 0.80 (0.50–11.0). For wake-effect collisions the mean values were 4.59 (2.83–6.35); and 2.76 (1.46–4.06) respectively.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that the wake-effect collision is real and may occur with greater frequency than do EMVCs. Significant limitations of this study are recall bias and misclassiftcation bias. Future studies are needed to define more precisely wake-effect collision prevalence and the resulting “cost” in regards to injury and vehicle/property damage.

Keywords

ambulance accidentscollisionscrashesemergency medical vehicle collisions (EMVCs)fatal accident reporting system (FARS)lights and siren (L&S)wake-effect
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , December 1997 , pp. 41 - 44
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1997

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