Tyler Munn

Spatial Analysis of 911 STEMI Calls for Toronto Paramedic Services ©2015

An ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a severe heart attack that requires immediate Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Toronto Paramedic Services responds to hundreds of STEMI calls per year, and aims to reach 90% of these calls within 9 minutes. These patients are typically transferred to one of six PCI centres throughout the City of Toronto and Peel Region. This research provides insight as to where and when new Toronto Paramedic Services resources should be assigned throughout the city to ensure response time targets continue to be met. The current response time average is below 7 minutes. Multiple methods of network analysis are utilized to determine if patients are being sent to the optimal hospital. Fastest route analysis at regular maximum road speeds is the most reasonable method. The research also looks at a relationship between STEMI call frequency and socioeconomic marginalization as defined by the Ontario Marginalization Index, between which there is no strong relationship.