DCAS Dubai EMS Protocols & Mass Casualty Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Dubai's stroke protocol, the pre-hospital target for arrival at a stroke-capable centre should be within:
- 60 minutes from time of symptom onset (door-to-CT and door-to-needle targets start from ED arrival) (Correct answer)
- 3 hours from symptom onset (sufficient time for transfer)
- 30 minutes from dispatch
- 12 hours regardless of intervention type
Correct 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.
Question 2: The DCAS 'Paediatric Code' protocol activates when:
- A paediatric patient (under 14) requires critical care interventions, triggering specialist paediatric resources (Correct answer)
- Any child calls for an ambulance
- A paediatric patient has a fever over 39°C
- All school injury calls
Correct 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.
Question 3: Infection control and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for suspected infectious disease calls requires DCAS crew to:
- Apply standard precautions (gloves, mask, eye protection) for all patients; enhanced PPE (N95/FFP2, gown) for suspected airborne diseases (Correct answer)
- No precautions unless the patient confirms infection
- Gloves only for all calls
- Full hazmat suits for all respiratory illnesses
Correct 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.
Question 4: The DCAS 'Cardiac Arrest Team' (CAT) dispatch sends what resources to cardiac arrest calls?
- Multiple response units including first responder, paramedic unit, and supervisor to maximise early defibrillation and ALS (Correct answer)
- Single paramedic unit only
- Hospital transfer only
- Non-emergency transport
Correct 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.
Question 5: Under Dubai EMS protocols, a patient who refuses transport to hospital must:
- Be assessed for decision-making capacity; a competent adult may refuse, requiring documentation and a signed refusal form (Correct answer)
- Be transported regardless of their wishes
- Be sedated to facilitate transport
- Be reported to Dubai Police for non-compliance
Correct 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.
Question 6: Post-incident psychological support for DCAS paramedics following traumatic calls is provided through:
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) programmes including debriefing and peer support (Correct answer)
- No formal support — paramedics are expected to cope independently
- Only senior paramedics receive psychological support
- Reporting incidents to Dubai Police as standard practice
Correct 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.
DCAS Dubai EMS Protocols & Mass Casualty Management 4
Under Dubai's stroke protocol, the pre-hospital target for arrival at a stroke-capable centre should be within: