EMD Roles and Responsibilities Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the primary function of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD)?

Answer: Obtain information, prioritize calls, and provide pre-arrival instructions

EMDs gather caller information, assign appropriate response priorities, and provide pre-arrival instructions to help patients until field units arrive.

Pre-arrival instructions provided by an EMD are intended to:

Answer: Help the caller assist the patient until EMS arrives

Pre-arrival instructions are designed to guide bystanders in providing immediate assistance, such as CPR, until trained responders reach the scene.

What does the term 'Dispatch Life Support' (DLS) refer to?

Answer: Pre-arrival instructions given by EMDs to help callers assist patients

Dispatch Life Support refers to the telephone-guided instructions an EMD provides to callers to help sustain life before EMS arrives.

EMDs are required to use approved medical dispatch protocols primarily because:

Answer: They ensure consistent, evidence-based care and help reduce liability

Approved protocols standardize responses, ensure evidence-based pre-arrival instructions, and provide a defensible framework that protects both patients and dispatchers.

An EMD's responsibility in resource allocation primarily involves:

Answer: Matching the appropriate level of response to the nature of the emergency

EMDs use caller information and priority dispatch protocols to send the right type and number of resources, preventing both under- and over-response.

Which of the following is a key responsibility of an EMD while on a call with a caller?

Answer: Gathering accurate information about the nature and location of the emergency

Accurate information gathering is essential so the EMD can prioritize the call, dispatch the right resources, and provide relevant pre-arrival instructions.

Documentation of EMD calls is important primarily because it:

Answer: Provides a legal record and supports quality improvement processes

Call records serve as a legal account of actions taken and are reviewed during QA/QI processes to identify training opportunities and protocol compliance.