Time savings associated with lights and siren use by ambulances: a scoping review
International Journal of Emergency Services · 2024-07-10 · Meta-analysis
Abstract
Purpose Many studies have suggested the use of lights and siren by ambulances has the potential to save time, which can be clinically beneficial for certain patients. However, other studies suggest lights and siren use increases an emergency vehicle’s crash risk. In the absence of a comprehensive multi-center trial, a meta-analysis of prior studies can offer insight into this topic. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the extent to which the use of lights and siren decreases response and transport times nationally. Design/methodology/approach We searched PUBMED, EBSCO Academic Search Ultimate, Google Scholar and the premier EMS journals for potential articles identifying time savings associated with lights and siren use and augmented the search results with other relevant studies. Studies were included if they compared time involved with driving a given route using lights and siren with the time required to drive the same route without lights and siren. Findings Nine studies were included. Across these studies, lights and siren use was associated with a weighted average time savings of 159 s or 2.7 min (95% CI: 100–219 s, p < 0.0001). Originality/value Our analysis of the previously-published literature reveals that lights and siren use is associated with time savings across geographies; however, the precise difference may only be beneficial to certain patients. Most studies are small and relatively dated, so individual EMS systems ought to study their specific geography to inform policies that maximize the beneficial impact of lights and siren use and minimize unnecessary risk.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via OpenAlex. Reuse and removal
Tags
Lights & sirens · Time intervals
Related articles
- Prehospital Use of Lights and Sirens in Stroke Is Associated With Faster Door-to-CT Times but Not Door-to-Thrombolysis or Door-to-Endovascular Therapy Times. (J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open, 2026)
- The Estimated Benefit of Lights and Sirens During Ambulance Transport. (Prehosp Emerg Care, 2026)
- Ambulance and helicopter response time. Association with patient outcome and illness severity: Protocol of a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. (Acta Anaesthesiol Scand, 2024)
- Response time of emergency vehicles may be predicted using ordinary GPS estimates. (Dan Med J, 2020)
- Lights and Siren Transport and the Need for Hospital Intervention in Nontrauma Patients: A Prospective Study. (Emerg Med Int, 2020)
- Emergency versus standard response: time efficacy of London's Air Ambulance rapid response vehicle. (Emerg Med J, 2017)