Changes to emergency medical dispatch coming in October
New system will ensure most serious medical calls continue to be answered first
Oxford County Paramedic Services will begin using a new system this October to prioritize emergency medical calls received through 911. The new system, which does not apply to calls made for police or fire, will help ensure those with the most serious medical conditions continue to be seen first.
Under the new Medical Priority Dispatch System, emergency communications dispatchers will continue to take all emergency medical calls to 911. Calls involving life-threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reactions or unconsciousness, will continue to receive the highest priority response, as they do now.
Beginning the evening of October 14, when calling 911 for a medical emergency, more questions may be asked at the time of the call to help dispatchers understand how serious or severe a condition is. Less urgent conditions, such as flu-like symptoms or sprains, may experience longer wait times for an ambulance if the current call volume for paramedic services is high. Callers may also receive basic guidance over the phone while paramedics are on their way and may receive a call back to check on their status during longer waits.
If a health condition changes or becomes more serious while waiting for an ambulance, callers should contact 911 again to update their status. The new system is designed to ensure that the most serious patients at any moment are seen first.
Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is an internationally recognized software system designed to prioritize medical emergencies based on urgency. The system supports faster response to life-threatening emergencies while improving the overall efficiency of emergency medical services. MPDS is used in thousands of dispatch centres around the world and is already being used in many other Ontario communities.
More information, including frequently asked questions, is available on Speak Up, Oxford! at www.oxfordcounty.ca/speakup.
Comment
Ryan Hall, Chief, Oxford County Paramedic Services
“The new Medical Priority Dispatch System is another tool to ensure that Oxford residents have reliable and responsive paramedic services. Used around the world and across Ontario, it will ensure that our most serious medical calls are responded to first, every time, and that every resident who makes a call for emergency medical help is connected to care throughout their wait for an ambulance.”
About Oxford County
Located in southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of Highways 401 and 403, Oxford County has a population of approximately 140,000 people across eight area municipalities that are “growing stronger together.” A partnership-oriented, two-tier municipal government, Oxford County is committed to 100% renewable energy, zero waste, zero poverty, and being 100% housed. Oxford County is situated in one of Ontario’s richest areas for farmland, with a diversified local economy that is home to an innovative agricultural industry, leading automotive manufacturers, and the Oxford County Cheese Trail. Oxford also offers a thriving local arts and culinary community, as well as conservation parks, natural areas and more than 100 kilometres of scenic trails. The County’s Strategic Plan puts forward a vision of “Working together for a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable future.” The Oxford County Administration Building is in Woodstock, Ontario. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca, follow us on social media, or download our Facts and Stats to learn more.