Contact
For additional information on CDC's National Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program Training, contact:
Linda J. Redman
CDC/NCCDPHP
Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
4770 Buford Hwy NE
Mailstop K-47
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-8056
Fax: 770-488-8151
E-mail: lxr7@cdc.gov
Capacity building
Objectives: 1) to administer a statewide inventory and needs assessment of Emergency Medical Dispatch Centers; 2) to identify gaps in Emergency Medical Dispatch training, education and inventory of standardized protocol currently in use; 3) to assess cost and potential resources to provide standardized training and education for Emergency Medical Dispatch providers.
Method: A survey of all 133 Kansas Communication Centers was conducted. An introduction letter with survey questionnaire was mailed to these centers. Out of 133 centers, 117 centers (88%) responded (94 centers that dispatch Emergency Medical Services, 10 centers that dispatch other types of services (Fire and Law Enforcement), and 13 centers that do not dispatch EMS or other services). Responses from 104 centers were analyzed.
Results: Lack of funding was noted as a major problem by 50% of the respondents. Out of 104 respondents, 33% with 911 – dispatch capability do not have E911, 25% do not require formal dispatcher training, 54.8% do not require annual continuing education for dispatchers and 61.2% do not require dispatchers to complete a program designed to provide pre-arrival instructions to callers requesting EMS assistance.
Conclusion: The survey results identified a need for standardized dispatcher training statewide. The Kansas Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program and the Kansas Trauma Program staff met to discuss the issue. A contractual agreement was developed to jointly support initiation of a training network in each of the six regional trauma councils.
