By Rosalind Russell – Starting today, Ambulance Communications Officers in the Sudbury Central Ambulance Communications Centre will adopt the Medical Priority Dispatch System.
Officials say it’s to improve the deployment of paramedic resources and alleviate the pressure on emergency departments including Espanola Regional, the Manitoulin Health Centre and Health Sciences North, among others.
Robert Smith, Chief of Paramedic Services, says the change in protocol will affect how paramedics in the Manitoulin and Sudbury Districts respond to calls when 911 calls are received.
He adds with the new system, people that call 9-1-1 can expect more detailed questions from Ambulance Communications Officers to help emergency personnel gather specific information about a patient’s condition to make quick and effective dispatch decisions.
The announcement comes at the launch of Paramedic Services Week.
The system is an evidence-based technology that has become the industry standard for patient triaging and is subject to ongoing testing, development, and quality assurance measures. The system is currently being used by several cities including Toronto, Kenora, Thunder Bay, and others.
The expansion of the Medical Priority Dispatch System is part of the Ontario government’s Your Health plan, to help Ambulance Communication Officers understand a patient’s level of urgency and triage them accordingly, and to ensure that paramedic services provide immediate care to patients with life-threatening injuries, while easing pressures on emergency departments.
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