How should an EMD prioritize calls during a busy shift?

Prioritizing calls based on the assessment of the severity of the emergencies is essential for effective emergency medical dispatching. This method allows the dispatcher to evaluate each situation against established protocols to determine which calls require immediate attention and resources. For instance, life-threatening conditions—such as cardiac arrest or severe trauma—take precedence over less critical issues. This prioritization ensures that patients who are in the most need of urgent care receive assistance as quickly as possible, maximizing the chances of survival and better outcomes.

Assessing calls in order of severity enables EMDs to use their training effectively and respond in a manner that aligns with the principles of triage. This approach not only supports the safety of callers but also optimally allocates limited emergency resources during particularly busy shifts when demands might exceed available units.

Other methods of prioritization, such as the order of call receipt or based on caller's phone number or location, may not accurately reflect the urgency or medical need of the situations described by the callers, potentially leading to critical delays for those in dire need of help.