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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
Contract company dispatchers are required by EMS to use the flip-card system to give medical advice. It is used nationally and has been reviewed and approved by the Sonoma County Medical Officer who can modify it as desired.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
As stated in PRINCIPLES OF EMD, the U. S. National Institute of Health has found the use of the flip- card system to be superior to dispatchers using ad lib advice. Dispatchers are required to follow the card-file system exactly as written.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Dispatchers are required to get two cross streets from a caller and must dispatch emergency vehicles within 60 seconds of receiving that call. They then return to the caller to obtain more information and give medical advice.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Dispatchers work 12 hour shifts, experiencing periods of intense activity and periods of no activity.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
The efficacy of twelve-hour shifts should be examined.
R2
A formal evaluation process including testing should be developed to determine if dispatchers can handle the extremes of boredom and high stress that they encounter on this job as well as the long work span.
F5
When a dispatcher receives a call from a conventional land- line home phone, a name and address relating to that phone is presented on the computer screen. This information does not appear when a cell phone is used. Cell phone 9-1-1 calls are directed to the nearest CHP dispatch center in Benicia.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Ambulances are used for both emergency and non-emergency transfers. Under certain conditions this may cause a shortage of ambulances available for an emergency. Since non emergency transfers are a good source of income, and since the contract company dispatches all ambulances, including those of other companies, a possibility for conflict of interest exists.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Methods to avoid conflict of interest issues, as stated in F6, with the contract company and other ambulance companies must be implemented. Required Responses to Findings County Compliance Subcommittee: F6. Required Responses to Recommendations County Compliance Subcommittee: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 County Director of Emergency Services: R5
F7
Helicopters are often used for emergencies in inaccessible areas or when roads are blocked. Three primary agencies, Redwood Empire Air Care Helicopter (REACH), Cal Star from Mendocino County, Sonoma County Sheriffs Office Henry 1, and two secondary agencies, Life Lite from Sacramento and Life Lite from Walnut Creek provide this service. Inadequate communication between rescue helicopter dispatch and the contract company sometimes causes paramedics and ambulance drivers to wait longer for a helicopter than an overland trip would take.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
An effective communication system between helicopter dispatch and ground responders needs to be implemented.
F8
Ambulance and fire equipment are required by EMS and the county Contract Compliance Subcommittee to arrive on scene within seven minutes of the call in urban areas, within eleven minutes in semi-rural areas, within 14 minutes in rural areas, and within 29 minutes in remote areas such as mountain tops. These times can be extended if EMD determines the conditions are not critical.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Dispatch personnel providing Emergency Medical Dispatch are certified by Dispatch Operation Advisory Group (DOAG), EMS officials, and the EMS AGENCY monthly, and ambulance drivers are certified bimonthly by the County Contract Compliance Subcommittee. The County Contract Compliance Subcommittee meets bimonthly to review the performance of the contract company, which includes looking at response time and citizen complaints.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Experience is very valuable for a dispatcher, and experienced dispatchers should be rewarded accordingly. The County Compliance Subcommittee should support the contract company’s pay and benefit package so it remains adequate to keep good employees from leaving.
F10
The Computer Assisted Dispatch system (CAD) is critically dependent on accurate and current information. The dispatch system is updated daily. Conclusions The Grand Jury determined that the new dispatch center is a great improvement over the old. The use of the flip-cards is a nationally accepted system. REDCOM continues to improve, but will be tested during the up-coming fire season. The dispatch center is adequately staffed. If emergencies create a staff shortage, dispatchers are held over until relieved. Supervisory personnel can fill in when necessary.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Since the GPS/CAD system is critically dependent on accurate and current information, the County Director of Emergency Services must assure the data is accurate and continually updated.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 3The Grand Jury determined that the new dispatch center is a great improvement over the old. The use of the flip-cards is a nationally accepted system. REDCOM continues to improve, but will be tested during the up-coming fire season. The dispatch center is adequately staffed. If emergencies create a staff shortage, dispatchers are held over until relieved. Supervisory personnel can fill in when necessary.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
County of Sonoma
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