Privately transported, major trauma patients made up approximately 4% of the total trauma patients population at a major, regional trauma center which treats over 90% of all major trauma victims in the geographic area. This study was undertaken to evaluate the patient profile of those individuals who did not access 9-1-1 for transport to a trauma center, including their reasons for such non-use.

Data on all major trauma occurring within Dade County, Florida, were collected by the county trauma registry.

In the last six months of 1989, 1,672 patients were entered into the trauma registry. One-thousand-six-hundred-thirteen (1,613) were transported by professional ground or air services, 59 by private vehicle. For those patients transported directly from the Emergency Department to the Operating Room, only 35% of private vehicle patients entered surgery within 90 minutes of presentation compared to 57% of those who gained access to the 9-1-1 system and used emergency medical services (EMS). One-half of those patients who did not use 9-1-1 did not have telephone access. Patient acuity was similar for those transported by private vehicle compared to those transported by basic or advanced life support units. Private vehicle transport often delayed patient triage and assessment. Thus, for a number of lower income patients, 9-1-1 access was difficult.

Underestimation of the severity of the injury or fear of delay in rescue response were prominent reasons for non-use of 9-1-1. While educational efforts should concentrate on decreasing inappropriate 9-1-1 use for nonemergencies, the causes of underutilization should not be ignored.