Important Notice:
As of January 1, 2018, ATCEMS no longer reports data for the performance indicator Medical Priority Dispatch Protocol Compliance. This change is due to changes in data collection capabilities in ATCEMS systems. A new indicator, MPDS Non-Compliance Rate, takes its place.
New Definition
The Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) is an internationally recognized approach to prioritizing incidents, and providing instructions to callers so they can assist a patient while EMS crews are responding.
A random sample of 911 calls is selected for review every day. These calls are assessed against MPDS standards to ensure that ATCEMS consistently provides a high level of service to our community. Based on scoring criteria from International Academies of Emergency Medical Dispatch (IAED), reviewed calls are placed in one of the following classifications:
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High Compliance
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Compliant
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Partial Compliance
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Low Compliance
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Non-Compliant
Performance standards are associated with the Partial, Low, and Non-Compliant categories; there are no standards for Compliant or High Compliance. Non-Compliant Rate is now viewed as the key performance indicator, since it is the metric in the bundle with the tightest performance standard.
Previous Definition
MPD Compliance: This is the percentage of cases that comply with the Medical Priority Dispatch Standards. Austin-Travis County EMS reviews recordings of 911 calls managed by our communications medics. The cases are randomly selected for review and are compared to the International Medical Priority Dispatch Standards (MPDS). These standards are used in the Communications center to assess patients over the phone and provide medical instructions while an ambulance is responding to the incident. The overall compliance score is a composite of the sub-sections that are scored against the standard.
Why is this important?
MPD Compliance: ATCEMS Communication Medics are the first to interact with a caller or patient. The Communication Medic is a vital link and gathers information and often initiates care prior to the arrival of an ambulance. MPD Compliance is a measure of how well our Communications Medics provide care. This measure is used to monitor the performance of the EMS Communication center and is required to maintain our accreditation from the International Academies of Emergency Medical Dispatch.
The MPD Compliance measure relates to our Strategic Goals for Service and Finance- S1, S2, S3, F2, and F3:
S1: To be an organization that strives to improve the lives of people in our community.
S2: To have a service delivery model that best serves the needs of our community.
S3: To be an organization that puts service before self.
F2: To be an organization that provides value to the community.
F3: To provide quality cost efficient service to the community.
Performance Measure Definition (PDF)
Click here to view our strategic goals (PDF)