Computer-Aided Dispatch

The initial reports of an unusual incident should arouse the suspicion of the Emergency Communication Center (911). If there are any suspicions, the dispatcher should report a possible terrorist attack or at least an unusual event to public safety responders so they can be prepared. When the unit is dispatched, the dispatcher should advise them of any significant call history or advisories attached to the location (prior attacks on responders, known location of dangerous group). Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) can facilitate this data. Those agencies without CAD will have to rely on dispatcher or responder memory. However, initial reports may not be suspicious and first responders to a terrorist attack may not be aware of the danger. 

Gather information about the call via radio, computer-aided dispatch, and personal knowledge. When other responders are on-scene, communicate with them to obtain more information. If the Incident Command System has already been established, report to the command post or staging area. 

Since the early 1990s, there has been a consistent effort to implement the MPDS and similar priority dispatch protocols through computer-based systems in an effort to automate processes and further minimize human error rates [34]. We have carried out a literature review of empirical case studies illustrating the advantages and disadvantages of computer-aided dispatch systems using priority dispatch protocols. 

Empirical Case Studies on the Impact of Computer-Aided Dispatch Systems in Emergency Management and Response Authors, Year Country of Study Key Objective Key Findings... 

United States Analyze the accuracy of dispatchers in predicting cardiac arrest through computer-aided dispatch protocols and assess the effect of the caller party on dispatcher accuracy... 

United States Evaluate a group of computer-aided dispatch... 

United Kingdom Examine patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to identify whether a computer-aided dispatch system enabled dispatchers to allocate an appropriate emergency response... 

There was variation in clinical practice toward ALS intervention due to the more precautionary approach to care found in this computer-aided dispatch system. 

Feldman et al. 2006 [41] Canada Determine the relationship between a computer-aided dispatch system and an out-of-hospital patient acuity scale The system exhibits at least moderate sensitivity and specificity for detecting high acuity of ULness or itq ury. This performance analysis may be used to identify target protocols for future improvements. 

Clawson et al. 2007 [42] United Kingdom Establish the accuracy of the emergency medical dispatcher s decisions to override the automated computer-aided dispatch system s triage recommendations based on at-scene paramedic-applied transport acuity determinations and cardiac arrest findings Automated, protocol-based caU taking is more accurate and consistent than the subjective, anecdotal, or experience-based determinations made by individual emergency medical dispatchers. 

Telephone assessment and computer-aided triage can identify nonserious calls, which could have a significant impact on emergency ambulance dispatch rates. Nurses were more likely than paramedics to assess calls as requiring an alternative response to emergency ambulance dispatch, but the extent to which this relates to aspects of training and professional perspective is unclear. 

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