| This image illustrates the real cost of treating a common 911 emergency. Respiratory complaints are among the most frequent calls our EMS crews respond to, and even a relatively routine respiratory emergency requires multiple single-use medical supplies.
The prices shown are our agency’s actual purchase prices for the same brands and supplies pictured—not national averages or estimated retail costs. Smaller EMS agencies do not have the purchasing power of large healthcare systems, making these increases especially significant.
In just two years, our cost for the disposable medical supplies used on a basic respiratory call has increased by 49%. That does not include the ambulance, medications, cardiac monitor, oxygen equipment, staffing, training, insurance, fuel, or the cost of maintaining 24/7 readiness.
Single-Use Medical Supplies: 14% price increase from 2025 to 2026
49% increase from 2024 to 2026
Image credit: Screenshot from A&E’s Nightwatch, used here to illustrate actual prehospital patient care. Supply costs and price comparisons reflect our agency’s actual purchasing data. |
