We all know there are the accidental medical alarm triggers. You know, the ones where customers are attempting to clear trouble signals from their alarms and push the triangle button instead, thereby triggering their medical alarms? While those are unfortunate, they’re not the alarms that concern the dispatch team (mostly because those people answer the phones clearly and quickly advise them of the mistake).
The concerns come with the customers that may have systems or known health issues that depend on their alarm systems primarily due to medical necessities. While occasionally they have the accidental button pushes or triggers from their systems, it’s also not uncommon to find that there is, in fact, a situation that calls for dispatch, and the patient is unable to give the full breadth of details that enable EMS to be completely prepared.
Here are 4 things Operators would appreciate being included/noted on the account:
- Patient Name and Age – It’s one of the first things dispatch asks for, and rarely do we know the answer unless we’re actually able to speak to the customer and/or a care giver. And even then, sometimes, if they’re panicked or in pain, the information isn’t given.
- Major Medical Issues/History – If there is a known history of health issues like diabetes, heart attack, stroke, or fall risk, EMS knowing this information before they arrive can ensure they’re properly prepared and can react appropriately and with speed.
- Keys/Gate Code – If there are hidden keys, gate codes, or info on how to properly access the location, it speeds up the time with which dispatch is able to respond if they know how to get in.
- Allergy/Medications List – Most people with health issues have a med and/or allergy list. It helps if we know where to direct EMS to find it. It also ensures that they don’t attempt to treat with something that could create an allergic reaction or a counter-reaction due to medications.
These little details not only help to speed up dispatch, but they ensure that our customers get the best possible care in an accurate and timely manner.
And if you need help figuring out Stages, click HERE to view helpful videos.