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2026 EMS Insights Report: A Snapshot of Evolving Prehospital Care

On April 14, 2026, ImageTrend unveiled its 2026 EMS Insights Report, a thorough analysis of national EMS data that marks critical changes in prehospital care across the United States. Drawing upon an extensive dataset of over 18 million EMS activations recorded in 2025 alone, the report covers EMS dynamics from 2023 to 2025, placing greater emphasis on enlightening trends in patient care, workforce issues, and clinical practices.

Understanding the Evolving Landscape

According to Joe Graw, Chief Growth Officer at ImageTrend, the latest data reveals not just the volume of EMS calls, but a transformative shift in how care is provided. Specifically, the report highlights the significant increase in prehospital blood administration and a sustained rise in behavioral health demands. These changes not only reflect the increasing complexity in EMS operations but also underscore the urgency for investments in both systems and support mechanisms reportedly required for the advancement of care delivery.

Key Findings from the Report

The 2026 EMS Insights Report presents several noteworthy trends shaping the current EMS landscape, including:

1. Expansion of Prehospital Blood Administration: Ground-based blood transfusions have seen growth from 5% in 2023 to 10% in 2025, while a majority—87%—of blood administrations continued to be performed by air units. This shift highlights a growing recognition of the importance of timely and effective interventions in the prehospital setting.

2. Increase in Behavioral Health Demand: Behavioral health-related responses have grown from 9.8% in 2023 to 11.7% in 2025. This indicates an ongoing shift in EMS resources toward addressing mental health issues, which have long been overlooked in traditional emergency response models.

3. Rising Trauma-Related Incidents: Injury responses have also surged, with reports indicating an increase from 17.9% in 2023 to 18.6% in 2025. This shows a total of approximately 2.3 million trauma incidents, adding to the operational pressures facing EMS systems.

4. Disparities in Trauma Care Delivery: The report notes a persistent gap between assessment and treatment in trauma care. Although 72% of transported trauma patients had documented pain assessments, only 18% received appropriate pain management. This highlights the need for improved protocols to ensure comprehensive patient care.

The Need for Outcome Visibility

Despite the comprehensive volume of data collected on prehospital care, the report reveals that understanding patient outcomes remains a critical challenge. Nationally, only about 3% of EMS records include information regarding hospital outcomes, which restricts the ability to evaluate care effectiveness and continuity. This lack of visibility signifies an urgent need for enhanced data-sharing protocols and systems that can bridge the gap between emergency services and hospital environments.

Emphasizing Trends Over Time

While prior reports primarily focused on establishing a baseline for EMS operations, this edition takes a more dynamic approach, analyzing multi-year data to uncover shifts in practice and patient needs. By documenting the evolution of EMS systems, the report aims to not only highlight ongoing trends but also provide a foundation for future decision-making by EMS agencies and policymakers alike.

Morgan Anderson, Director of Research at ImageTrend, emphasizes that identifying these trends enables stakeholders to allocate resources more effectively and support informed strategic planning for the future.

Leveraging Comprehensive Data

The report is grounded in the findings from ImageTrend Collaborate™, which embodies a large, anonymized dataset reflecting EMS activity nationwide. With more than 157 million activations recorded since 2018, the dataset aligns closely with federal data sources, confirming its validity for extensive analysis.

With increased demands on EMS systems, the insights presented in the 2026 EMS Insights Report are vital for the continuous improvement of prehospital care practices. The full report is now accessible at ImageTrend's website.

About ImageTrend

Founded in 1998, ImageTrend specializes in transforming methodical incident data into actionable insights. Currently serving over 3,100 clients representing 21,000+ agencies, the company aids frontline teams in navigating the complexities of emergency medical response. Its innovative solutions leverage advanced analytics to boost operational efficiency, ensuring that first responders are equipped to handle today's challenges in healthcare effectively.