title: The role of the dispatch centre in preclinical emergency medicine.
abstract: Failure to recognise the importance of the dispatch centre in emergency medical services (EMS) limits standards and procedures in prehospital emergency medicine. The dispatch centre should be identified as the point of leadership and management of the entire system. Measures for quality control and quality assurance should be an integral part of EMS administration. Minimum requirements for equipment and personnel depend on EMS structure and on geographic and epidemiological factors. Clearly defined algorithms for decision-making and computer-assisted dispatching can increase efficiency and reduce costs.
authors.affiliation: University of Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005858:Germany; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control