Utility of a new agricultural injury surveillance system to the emergency medical services community

Background: Researchers have developed a new method of agricultural injury surveillance that combines several data sources, including ambulance reports. Researchers wished to study the utility of agricultural injury surveillance data to the EMS programs responsible for providing ambulance reports. Successful surveillance systems feed back useful data to those who originally generated the information. Methods: Reports of agricultural injury by county and injury type were provided to EMS coordinators in ten agricultural counties of New York, where ambulance reports have been collected over the last three years. At least two EMS officials from each county were interviewed, asking if: 1) they have participated in farm emergency response training; 2) they are aware of the frequency of farm injury in their area; 3) they know the top causes of farm injury in their region; and 4) they intend to arrange for farm emergency response training in the future. Results: Preliminary data indicate that: 1) over 60% of EMS coordinators had previous farm emergency response training; 2) 92% were not aware of the frequency of farm injury in their region; 3) over 80% were aware of leading agricultural injury types, but wanted “better” statistics; and 4) 92% indicated a desire for more farm emergency training. Additionally, respondents requested farm-related handouts and assistance with language issues on farms. Conclusion: This data has been shown to be very useful for the EMS community, aiding in farm rescue techniques and raising general awareness of agricultural injury in their region.