A second public service announcement....

I was going to write a long spiel for this post about the 999 triage system, but I have since come to realise that there are several different one in operation, from AMPDS, to NHSPathways and others.  These are clever (if not computer orientated) triage systems and have changed "since my day".  This is however not a cop out and I feel the need to delve deeper.  What I can say for now is this...

The questions the call handler asks are relevant.  

The questions do not delay your care, but are aimed at enhancing it.  

If a call is identified as life threatening, which happens at the beginning an ambulance is immediately dispatched.

Call prior it can go up as well a down.

Please help the call handler, which in turn helps us, by answering truthfully and politely.  Rudeness towards staff is never acceptable.

It's short I know and hardly informative, but hopefully more to follow at a later date!

A public service announcement...

In recent weeks I have come across some confused and frustrated patient who didn't know which telephone number to call for medical assistance, resulting in apologetic 999 calls.

There are a few numbers to call for help and below should help to clarify that, so first, 999.

The 999 emergency number, launched in 1937 was the worlds first specific emergency only telephone number and reportedly recieved under 1400 calls (Holland 2010). Now ambulance services alone recieve more calls daily.  This is the number to call to contact the emergency services, Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard and Mountain/Cave rescue.  Examples of appropriate calls include a crime in progress, a fire or road traffic collision, a patient not breathing or someone in trouble in the sea.  

From an ambulance point of view 999 should be used for :

Cardiac Arrest (patient unconscious and not breathing properly),

Unconscious Casualty,

Chest Pains,

Supspected Stroke,

Severe Asthma and breathing difficulties,

Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)

Convulsions,

Traumatic injuries and Road Traffic Collisions,

Other medical emergencies requiring immediate assistance.

There is now another number to call for medical advice.  That is 111.  This system was introduced to replace the variety of different numbers for advice, GP services and other medical needs.  If you need medical advice or out of hours wish to reach a GP this is the number to use.  You will speak to a call handler who will screen your call to identify any immediatley life threatening problems before being contacted by a clinician who will determine the best course of action for you call, be it advice, a GP appointment or an ambulance attendance.  This number should not be confused with 101...

More and more patients are confusing 111 with 101, the national police non-emergency number and 112, the European Standard Emergency Number.  Whilst 112 will get you an ambulance, it may not get you the most appropriate care and could result in an ambulance attending unessasarily.  101 will allow you to speak a police call handler, who if identified that you need medical assistance will pass you to the ambulance service, but ultimately will delay your care.

The next post will bust some myths around what happens to your 999 call! Watch this space!