The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
A proposal to enhance emergency medical services by training dispatchers on how to better handle medical calls could prove to be a valuable tool for the county. During its annual retreat last week, the Franklin County Board of Supervisors learned about the proposal for Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) from Capt. Mark Torbert with the sheriff's office. All dispatchers would, in essence, be trained on how to deal with emergency medical 911 calls in a manner that would boost the effectiveness of dealing with those calls. It would also provide an increased measure of care for victims that could very well save lives.
We all know that in emergency medical situations callers are often scared and upset and may not know what to do. A calm, reassuring voice asking the right questions can mean that essential information is quickly gathered and the caller can be kept on the phone with additional instructions while an emergency response team is on the way.
But having immediate access to information and asking the appropriate questions are crucial for dispatchers if they are going to be effective. This program provides the proper training to ensure that effectiveness, including guidecards that include clear step-by-step instructions for virtually any medical emergency.
Four additional dispatchers would have to be hired simply because of the time involved. Emergency medical calls would take much longer under the EMD program, as the dispatcher stays on the line with the caller for as long as it takes. A supervisor with EMD expertise has to be on duty each shift as well to make critical decisions that may surface during calls.
Although the total cost of the EMD program is about $250,000, almost half of that may be reimbursed through the state Wireless Board. That board oversees the money the state receives from the 911 surcharge on phone bills, giving funds to municipalities to help pay for dispatcher salaries.
The program would be under the supervision of a medical director. Dr. Stephen Lane, the county's' current EMS medical director, has agreed to accept that responsibility.
Since the proposal was heard during a retreat, the board took no action. We urge board members to consider approval, though. The EMD program would certainly provide a boost to the effectiveness of patient care. As Capt. Torbert said, patient care really beings with that 911 call. |
| |
|
|
|
