Dubai EMS Protocols & Mass Casualty Management Flashcards

Under Dubai's stroke protocol, the pre-hospital target for arrival at a stroke-capable centre should be within:

Answer: 60 minutes from time of symptom onset (door-to-CT and door-to-needle targets start from ED arrival)

Rapid transport maximises the window for thrombolysis (4.5 hours from onset) and thrombectomy (up to 24 hours in selected patients); the 60-minute pre-hospital window ensures maximum time remains for in-hospital decision-making and treatment.

The DCAS 'Paediatric Code' protocol activates when:

Answer: A paediatric patient (under 14) requires critical care interventions, triggering specialist paediatric resources

Paediatric Code activates specialist paediatric resources (paediatric-experienced supervisor, Rashid/Al Jalila Children's Hospital notification) for critically ill children requiring advanced paediatric care beyond routine paramedic response.

Infection control and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for suspected infectious disease calls requires DCAS crew to:

Answer: Apply standard precautions (gloves, mask, eye protection) for all patients; enhanced PPE (N95/FFP2, gown) for suspected airborne diseases

Standard precautions apply universally; enhanced precautions with N95 masks and gowns are applied for suspected airborne or droplet-transmitted diseases (TB, measles, COVID-19), based on symptom recognition and dispatch information.

The DCAS 'Cardiac Arrest Team' (CAT) dispatch sends what resources to cardiac arrest calls?

Answer: Multiple response units including first responder, paramedic unit, and supervisor to maximise early defibrillation and ALS

Cardiac arrest triggers a multi-tiered response to maximise early defibrillation and continuous high-quality CPR: first responders (with AED), paramedic crew, and medical supervisor — reflecting the high clinical priority.

Under Dubai EMS protocols, a patient who refuses transport to hospital must:

Answer: Be assessed for decision-making capacity; a competent adult may refuse, requiring documentation and a signed refusal form

Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment and transport; paramedics must assess capacity, explain risks, obtain informed refusal (signed documentation), and advise the patient to call again if their condition changes.

Post-incident psychological support for DCAS paramedics following traumatic calls is provided through:

Answer: Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) programmes including debriefing and peer support

CISM programmes recognise that emergency service personnel are at high risk of post-traumatic stress; structured debriefing and peer support following traumatic incidents reduce the risk of PTSD and improve long-term wellbeing.