About This Report
EMS is no longer defined by volume alone; it’s defined by complexity, variability, and the need for faster, more informed decisions.
The ImageTrend 2026 EMS Insights Report analyzes national prehospital care patterns using data from ImageTrend Collaborate™, a large, de-identified dataset reflecting EMS activations across the United States.
This year’s report moves beyond baseline benchmarking to highlight how care is changing in real time, from the expansion of prehospital blood administration to sustained behavioral health demand and ongoing workforce turnover.
Grounded in multi-year data (2023–2025), these findings help EMS leaders and clinicians:
- Understand where care delivery is shifting
- Identify gaps between protocol and practice
- Use data to support operational, clinical, and strategic decisions
As the EMS landscape evolves, this report provides a clearer view of what’s happening now, and what it means moving forward.
Key Trends Shaping EMS in 2026
This year’s report surfaces meaningful shifts in care delivery and system demand:
- Prehospital blood administration is expanding: Ground-based transfusions doubled from 5% to 10% between 2023 and 2025
- Behavioral health demand continues to rise: Incidents increased from 9.8% to 11.7% of EMS responses
- Trauma-related calls are increasing: Now represent 18.6% of EMS workload, adding clinical complexity
- Care gaps remain in pain management: 72% assessed, but only 18% treated with medication
- Low-acuity calls still dominate demand: Nearly 60% of 9-1-1 responses
- Workforce turnover remains a major challenge: 25% of clinicians left the field over two years across five states
Together, these trends reflect a broader shift toward higher demand, more complex care, and a greater need for actionable intelligence.
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