ImageTrend 2025 EMS Insights Report: Shaping the Future of Prehospital Care
On January 27, 2026, ImageTrend released its
2025 EMS Insights Report, a comprehensive national benchmarking tool that highlights trends and patterns in prehospital care across the United States. This report utilizes data derived from more than
11 million EMS activations gathered from nearly
2,400 EMS agencies across all 50 states. The analysis is powered by
ImageTrend Collaborate, a nationally recognized and peer-reviewed EMS dataset, setting the stage for informed decision-making and operational planning within the EMS community.
Insights and Analysis: Unveiling Critical Areas of Concern
The 2025 EMS Insights Report provides valuable insights into several critical aspects of emergency medical services:
1. Pain Management in Trauma Care
One striking finding pertains to
pain management in trauma cases. It was noted that injuries accounted for
18% of 9-1-1 incidents, with a shocking one-third of verbal patients lacking a documented pain score. This revelation underscores significant gaps in assessment and documentation practices among EMS providers, necessitating a reevaluation of how pain is addressed in prehospital settings.
2. Behavioral Health Emergencies
Behavioral health issues emerged as another area of concern, accounting for
12% of all EMS responses; however, dispatchers identified these cases only
20% of the time. This statistic highlights the persistent complexities surrounding prehospital recognition and intervention for behavioral health emergencies.
3. Opioid Overdoses
The report also delves into the EMS response to
opioid overdoses, revealing that over
40% of these incidents were classified as critical or emergent. Remarkably,
naloxone proved effective in alleviating symptoms in nearly
90% of treated patients, showcasing the lifesaving potential of timely intervention.
4. Motor Vehicle Crashes
Motor vehicle accidents represented
7% of EMS activations, with nearly three-quarters requiring treatment and transport. This persistent operational burden emphasizes the need for ongoing strategy development within EMS to manage high-demand scenarios efficiently.
5. Analyzing Workforce Dynamics
Finally, the
EMS workforce dynamics raised alarms with clinician exit rates fluctuating between
18% to 26% in different states, some even experiencing overall workforce declines. These figures reveal challenges regarding retention and the ongoing need for support mechanisms for EMS personnel.
A Foundation Built on Trust and Data
The
ImageTrend Collaborate dataset not only enhances the reliability of this report but also establishes a baseline for future analyses. The dataset aligns closely with the
National EMS Information System (NEMSIS), ensuring credibility in the findings presented. Moreover, the report transitions discussions from anecdotal evidence to data-driven insights, equipping EMS leaders with a clearer understanding of the challenges they face.
“Every day, EMS clinicians and leaders make crucial decisions under immense pressure,” stated
Patrick Sheahan, CEO and President of ImageTrend. “This report contextualizes those choices by translating real-world data into actionable insights.”
Preparing for the Future
The
2025 EMS Insights Report serves as a foundation for future evaluations, enabling trend analysis and benchmarking for coming years. This data-centric approach will foster improvements in EMS operations, ultimately leading to better patient care and optimal use of resources.
Agencies can leverage these insights to not only assess their performance but also to strategically plan for anticipated trends and demands in emergency medical services.
The full report is now accessible for public review at
ImageTrend’s official website. As ImageTrend continues to empower organizations with actionable intelligence, they are committed to driving impactful change in communities through better data and enhanced operational strategies.
About ImageTrend: Founded in 1998,
ImageTrend transforms incident data into insightful intelligence that enables frontline teams to adeptly respond to growing demands. Serving over
3,100 customers in Fire, EMS, and Hospital segments, they utilize their expertise and advanced analytics to continuously elevate service delivery and outcomes.