Method and system for an improved entry process of an emergency medical dispatch system

• US 6,607,481 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2000
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey J. Clawson
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey J. Clawson
• Inventors: Clawson, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASTORINO, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US09/689,986
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/486, 600/529, 128/903, 128/904, 128/920-925, 705/2-4, 705/9, 455/404, 702/19, 707/10, 707/104.1, 296/19, 296/20, 379/38-39, 379/45, 379/48-51, 379/106--10, 340/286.01, 340/286-6-2
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

An improved method and system for receiving, processing and responding to emergency medical calls by emergency dispatchers is described. A consistent, standard and systematic process is provided which in combination with adequate training, supervision and quality assurance serves to provide a method for gathering emergency medical information, categorizing such information into various determinant levels for appropriate response, and for giving qualified emergency medical information to callers thereby permitting “zero-time” response by those at the scene. By using this invention properly a dispatcher is guided through the interrogation of callers, gathering the critical information, dispatching the appropriate mobile care rapidly when needed and giving the appropriate guidance to the caller. This invention specifically guides the dispatcher through the universal entry protocol, paying particular attention to medical complaints related to respiratory arrest.

Claims

1. A method for managing the entry process of an emergency medical dispatch system, for dispatching medical assistance to persons needing such medical assistance, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a medical call on a telephone communication device regarding a patient needing medical assistance because of a health problem;

(b) receiving a description of the health problem giving rise to said call for medical assistance;

(c) identifying if the patient needing medical assistance is suffering ineffective breathing;

(d) determining a criticality value based on the description of said health problem;

(e) selecting an appropriate response, wherein such response depends on said described health problem, a received age, a determination of consciousness and a determination of breathing, and wherein said appropriate response includes an arrest protocol for patients in respiratory arrest;

(f) calculating a determinate value based on said described health problem, said received age, said determination of consciousness and said determination of breathing; and

(g) dispatching, based on said calculated determinate value, an appropriate emergency medical response, wherein said emergency medical response is provided by field emergency medical care-givers.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said identifying if the patient needing medical assistance is in respiratory arrest further comprises determining if the patient was hanging or was underwater.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of determining if the patient is choking.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the number of persons who are injured.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of determining of the cause of the patient'"'"'s injury was a traffic accident.