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Subj:Re: State-wide dispatching>>
Date:6/25/2002 7:10:43 AM Mountain Daylight Time
From:Wildmedic17@aol.com
Reply-to:flightmed@flightweb.com
To:flightmed@flightweb.com
Sent from the Internet
I don't know of any state-wide dispatch systems like the one you describe, and it's not a bad idea, but I don't know if one central office that dispatches all the helicopters in the state is necessary. I definitely agree that something needs to be done about the problem you described, though.
The answer to this problem is actually quite simple: Start strictly enforcing state or regional air-transport utilization or dispatch protocols that require a fire service or municipal dispatch center to request a helicopter from the closest air med service. In many cases these protocols or policies are already in place, and just need to be enforced.
System medical directors and EMS advisory councils need to take note of what is happening and do something about it.
FYI, this type of problem runs rampant in the world of ground EMS as well; for whatever reason, the chief of a rural fire department will often call for an ALS ambulance or paramedic intercept from a service which is NOT the closest one. IN most cases, nothing is done to change these practices which are obviously NOT in the best interest of the patient. This used to be a big problem in the area where I work.
Allan Bulkley
Flight Medic
<< I am curious if there are any rotor programs dispatched via a central state-wide dispatching center and if so, is it efficient?
There are several flight programs scattered throughout the state where I live and each program has their own dispatch center. A couple of these programs engage in fierce competition. There are times when a ground ambulance (which is affiliated with one program) will call for a specific air ambulance to respond to a scene, even though that helicopter is 35 - 40 minutes away and flies over another helicopter which is 8 minutes away from the scene. I am concerned that this competition and strong affiliation ties is adversely affecting patient care. I find it unethical to make a patient "wait" for air transport because an ambulance (or hospital) either chooses or is told to use a specific rotor program that may not be even remotely close to the scene.
I am wondering if a state-wide dispatch center would be in the patient's best interest. A customer (ambulance/hospital) would call one number and that dispatcher would dispatch the closest available helicopter that would meet the customer's needs. That way the politics would be removed and the patient would not have to wait.
...would like to hear from any programs that have experienced similar problems....
J.S., flight nurse