Originally published January 2025. Updated August 2025 to include new peer‑reviewed validation findings.
Access to accurate and representative data is essential for driving EMS research and making informed decisions. ImageTrend Collaborate™ equips researchers and EMS professionals with a comprehensive and defendable dataset to support evidence-based care delivery and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Now, there’s even more reason to trust Collaborate as a research resource.
A peer-reviewed study published in July 2025 in Prehospital Emergency Care compared ImageTrend Collaborate’s 2022 national EMS activation data to the federally funded National EMS Information System (NEMSIS) research dataset, often considered the “gold standard” for national EMS data. The results demonstrate that Collaborate reflects most national EMS call, patient, and intervention characteristics, making it one of the most representative EMS datasets available today.
“This validation reinforces what we’ve always aimed for with Collaborate—giving researchers a trusted, nationally representative dataset they can use to ask meaningful questions and uncover insights that truly matter to EMS and public health,” said Morgan Anderson, Research Manager at ImageTrend.
Bridging Data Gaps in EMS Research
In 2022, ImageTrend Collaborate contained 9.59 million EMS events, compared to 42 million in NEMSIS. The study evaluated how well Collaborate mirrors the diverse characteristics of EMS events nationwide, from agency type and geographic distribution to patient demographics, response times, symptoms, and procedures performed.
The verdict: Across most measures, Collaborate’s dataset was closely aligned with NEMSIS.
Differences in patient age, sex, primary impressions, and dispatch complaints were negligible, often less than 1% absolute proportional difference (PD), with standardized mean differences (SMD) well below the threshold for concern. Median response times were identical in both datasets.
Key Findings That Matter
The study’s findings highlight why Collaborate is such a powerful tool for EMS research:
- Strong alignment with national data: For most call and patient characteristics, proportional differences between Collaborate and NEMSIS were less than 1%, validating Collaborate’s reliability.
- Procedural consistency: The most common interventions, including IV catheterization, 12-lead ECG, and general evaluations, were the same in both datasets, with only minor proportional differences.
- Granularity advantage: Because Collaborate data is standardized and managed within a single platform, it can provide richer, more detailed data in certain areas than an aggregated national dataset, enabling nuanced analyses that competitors can’t offer.
- Identical median response times: Both datasets reported the same median response time, reinforcing consistency in core operational measures.
These results confirm that Collaborate offers not just broad coverage but also exceptional depth and detail, delivering a research resource that stands out in the EMS industry.
Advancing EMS Research Together
By participating in ImageTrend Collaborate, agencies contribute to a growing repository of de-identified data, enabling groundbreaking research in prehospital care.
From uncovering patterns in injury prevention to informing public health initiatives like the opioid epidemic, Collaborate provides the tools needed to tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges.
As the study demonstrates, ImageTrend Collaborate is more than a dataset; it’s a trusted partner for researchers and agencies seeking to drive data-informed decisions. Its validation against NEMSIS sets it apart, making it a critical resource for advancing EMS and healthcare industries alike.
Real-World Applications of ImageTrend Collaborate
The power of ImageTrend Collaborate™ extends beyond data collection—it fuels impactful research that addresses real-world challenges. Here are a few resources showcasing how Collaborate is shaping the future of EMS and public health:
- National Motorcycle Helmet Use & Head Injury Analysis: Collaborate data showed unhelmeted riders were over three times more likely to sustain moderate or severe head trauma, with higher risks in states without helmet laws. Read the report »
- Dispatch for Drowning-Related Events: This Collaborate short report analyzes national EMS dispatch data to identify seasonal, demographic, and location-based trends in drowning incidents, helping inform prevention strategies. Read the short report »
- Addressing Unhoused Population Needs: Leveraging Collaborate data, this research highlights the unique challenges faced by unhoused populations and provides actionable insights to improve care and resource allocation. Read the blog»
- Insights from NEMSQA Airway-18: Using Collaborate’s robust dataset, this study explores the critical role of airway management and the importance of data-driven approaches to improve patient outcomes. Read the report »
These projects highlight how Collaborate is not just a dataset, but a tool for advancing research and driving meaningful change.
Your Research, Backed by Nationally Representative Data
ImageTrend Collaborate’s validation against the NEMSIS research dataset confirms what EMS leaders and researchers already know—high-quality, representative data drives actionable research. From helmet law impacts to drowning trends, transport patterns, and vulnerable population needs, Collaborate delivers insights that shape better decisions and public health strategies.
Now, with confirmation that its dataset aligns closely with national EMS characteristics, Collaborate offers an even stronger foundation for tackling complex challenges, advocating for change, and improving patient outcomes.
Whether your focus is clinical care, operations, or public health, Collaborate equips you with the data depth, consistency, and national perspective needed to move projects from concept to impact.
Take the next step toward transforming your ideas into evidence-based solutions. Submit your research interest today and explore how Collaborate can help bring your vision to life.
