Medical Center EMS gains reaccreditation as a Center of Excellence by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
Medical Center EMS has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAEDTM) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching. Medical Center EMS is the world’s 250th medical ACE in the world. This is the third time Medical Center EMS has been recognized by The IAED.
IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers who earn ACE status are the embodiment of dispatch done right, and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.
“To achieve ACE Status, we had to complete the ‘20 points of Accreditation’,” said Jo Sledge, supervisor of the Medical Center EMS communications center. “The 20 points are a meticulous, measurable set of practices that are internationally recognized as the best. We have to provide evidence that we are abiding by all the requirements established by the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED). We do this through data collection, call reviews, operation guidelines, amongst other things in a systematic format approved by the IAED.”
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement”, said Christof Chwojka, Accreditation Board Chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated call takers, dispatchers, and leadership team at Medical Center EMS for their commitment to quality, and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first, first responders to do an outstanding job.”
IAED will present Medical Center EMS with an accreditation plaque that commemorates their achievement. IAED Accreditation is the culmination of a lengthy, arduous process that includes the completion of the 20 Points of Accreditation, a detailed evaluation of performance by industry experts, and a final review and ruling by IAED.
“This accreditation means we are committed to providing the best care to anyone in a medical emergency starting at the 911 call,” said Sledge. “It is important to gain accreditation because it allows us to safely provide medical assistance to everyone using a proven, patient -focused call taking system. This also requires us to standardize the way we gather information on the patient and situation, prioritize all medical calls and the delivery of effective instructions.”
“This process is undertaken by communications centers who desire to be the best of the best.” explains Kim Rigden, Associate Director of Accreditation, IAED. “Achieving ACE confirms it. Medical Center EMS should be very proud of this achievement and the wonderful service they provide to the community and their emergency responders”
Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards must be upheld. Emergency communication centers can earn multiple accreditations, one for each emergency discipline they service (medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage). Over 3,500 emergency communication centers worldwide use the medical, fire, police, and emergency nurse triage protocols developed and maintained by the IAED. The protocol-based system—known as the Priority Dispatch SystemTM—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch, and is used in 46 countries.
