Emergency
Medical Dispatch (EMD)
People
who call 9-1-1 for an ambulance are fortunate to have
Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency’s (CRESA’s) certified
emergency medical dispatchers on the other end of the
line. These dispatchers are trained to provide treatment
over the phone until help arrives.
How
emergency medical dispatch works
These
“pre-arrival” instructions include doing CPR, delivery
a baby, removing an object from the throat of someone
choking, and caring for injuries. Using medically based
protocols, CRESA dispatchers are able to send the appropriate
medical response.
As
the pre-arrival instructions are being provided, fire
first responders and paramedic ambulances are simultaneously
being dispatched to the medical emergency. The ambulance
contractor’s dispatch computer is also electronically
connected to CRESA’s computer to ensure fast and accurate
relay of information.
Outstanding
EMD credentials
CRESA's
9-1-1 center is considered a leader in the Emergency Medical
Dispatch field. CRESA was one of the first agencies in
the nation to meet the stringent requirements to be designated
as an
Accredited Center of Excellence. CRESA is currently
engaged in the lengthy reaccreditation process.
CRESA’s
dispatchers continuously receive specialized emergency
medical dispatch training. The questions they ask and
the instructions provided over the phone is critiqued
on an ongoing basis to ensure quality service is being
provided.
Highlights
of CRESA’s emergency medical dispatch program include:
- The
National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch published
its study of CRESA’s quality management process in the
Annals of Emergency Medicine to show how such a program
will improve compliance to emergency medical dispatch
protocols.
- Participating
in a research study with Oregon Health Sciences University
to develop guidelines to assist 9-1-1 dispatchers in
distinguishing between callers who need traditional
EMS response, and those who may be safely referred to
non-EMS resources
- An
article in EMS Best Practices outlining CRESA’s emergency
medical dispatch program (CRESA was formerly known as
CRCA).
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(Click
to enlarge - 62 KB)
A dispatcher refers to the medical protocol during an
emergency medical call
MORE INFORMATION:
EMS
Program
EMS District #2
Ambulance contractor
Public Safety Educators Coalition
EMS FAQs
Governance and funding
ADDITIONAL
LINKS:
Professional
associations
National
Academy of Emergency Dispatch
CPR/First
Aid/EMT training
American
Red Cross
Northwest Regional Training
Center
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