Emergency Medical Care in Miami Today
The emergency medical service the City of Miami is not unique today. However, it was the first system in the United States where the medical command concept was used. In Miami, 35-square-mile city, we operate five rescue units and in 1973 handled over 14,000 requests for assistance. Using the medical command concept, paramedics work in close concert with hospital-based physician who is on 24-hour call.
We respond quickly, and in 80 percent of our calls are there in less than four minutes. Rescue No. 1, in our downtown area, for 1973 had an average response time of 3.1 minutes with over 400 responses per month. We attempt to stabilize the patient on the scene before we move him. We almost always transport via contract ambulance, and in less than 2 percent of the alarms we transport critical cases. We select the people whom we transport. These are usually people with life-threatening arrhythmias or injuries or resuscitation cases. We respond to all types of sudden illness and injury in the city. A typical annual total would include (among others) 1300 auto accidents with injuries, 1000 heart attacks, 950 fractures, 300 shootings, 56 childbirths, and various numbers of diabetics, drownings, pulmonary edema and electrocutions.
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