U.S. patent application number 14/723947 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-01 for chemical suicide protocol for emergency response.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffrey J. Clawson. Invention is credited to Jeffrey J. Clawson.
Application Number | 20160352898 14/723947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57394253 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160352898 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clawson; Jeffrey J. |
December 1, 2016 |
CHEMICAL SUICIDE PROTOCOL FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to guide an emergency
dispatcher in responding to emergency calls involving a possible
chemical suicide. The systems and methods can include an emergency
medical dispatch protocol configured to facilitate rapid, uniform,
and consistent handling of events involving a possible chemical
suicide. The emergency medical dispatch protocol includes one or
more dispatch protocols configured for particular incidents or
emergency situations, such as to aid the dispatcher in processing
calls relating to chemical suicides. The emergency medical dispatch
protocol presents a pre-scripted interrogation, including
preprogrammed inquiries for a dispatcher to ask the caller. The
pre-scripted interrogation of the dispatch protocol facilitates
rapid, uniform, and consistent responses to incidents with chemical
suicide. The dispatch protocol may utilize a diagnostic tool to
evaluate the likelihood of a chemical suicide, increase scene
safety, and facilitate deployment of responders as quickly as
possible.
Inventors: |
Clawson; Jeffrey J.; (Salt
Lake City, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clawson; Jeffrey J. |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57394253 |
Appl. No.: |
14/723947 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/90 20180201; G06Q
10/10 20130101; G06Q 50/265 20130101; G06Q 10/04 20130101; H04M
3/5116 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/51 20060101
H04M003/51; H04W 4/22 20060101 H04W004/22; H04M 1/725 20060101
H04M001/725 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method to guide a dispatcher when
communicating vocally with a caller via a communication device
regarding an incident involving a victim of a possible chemical
suicide, and for predicting the likelihood of the incident being a
chemical suicide, the computer-implemented method comprising:
presenting, on a dispatch center computer device, a pre-scripted
interrogation comprising a plurality of preprogrammed inquiries for
the dispatcher to ask the caller in order to systematically obtain
a description of the incident involving the possible chemical
suicide, wherein the description of the incident comprises caller
responses to the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries, and wherein
the preprogrammed inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation
include: asking the type of structure the possible chemical suicide
occurred, asking about observable indicators of chemical suicide;
receiving, on the dispatch center computer device,
dispatcher-entered input representative of caller responses to the
preprogrammed inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation;
determining automatically on the dispatch center computer device a
predictive value based on dispatcher-entered input representative
of caller responses to one or more of the preprogrammed inquires,
wherein the predictive value represents the likelihood that a
chemical suicide occurred.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein presenting
the pre-scripted interrogation further comprises the dispatch
center computer device traversing a path of a logic tree as the
pre-scripted interrogation progresses, the logic tree configured to
determine the preprogrammed inquiries to present as part of the
pre-scripted interrogation based on caller responses to the
preprogrammed inquiries.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
providing preprogrammed inquiries to the dispatcher via a user
interface on an output device of the dispatch center computer
device.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
providing preprogrammed inquiries to the dispatcher on a medium
readable by the dispatcher.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
determining from dispatcher-entered input whether there is a
potentially dangerous scene.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
preprogrammed inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation include
asking what symptoms the caller is experiencing.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
preprogrammed inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation differ
based on the type of structure in which the possible chemical
suicide occurred.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
updating automatically on the dispatch center computer device the
predictive value based on a response to the preprogrammed inquiry
asking about observable indicators of chemical suicide.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
providing post-dispatch instructions to the caller.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein some of the
dispatcher-entered inputs are assigned greater weight than others
in determining the predictive value.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the
dispatcher-entered inputs that are assigned greater weight are
considered unequivocal criteria, and the dispatcher-entered inputs
that are assigned less weight are considered equivocal
criteria.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising
providing a recommendation field that presents the predictive
value, wherein the predictive value is selected from the group
consisting of clear evidence, strong evidence, and no evidence.
13. A computer system to guide a dispatcher when communicating with
a caller vocally via a communication device regarding a victim of
an incident involving a possible chemical suicide, and for
predicting the likelihood of the incident being a chemical suicide,
the computer system comprising: a processor; an output device in
communication with the processor; an input device in communication
with the processor; and a memory in communication with the
processor, the memory comprising: a chemical suicide protocol
comprising a logic tree that is configured to determine a
predictive value, the chemical suicide protocol configured to
present on the output device a pre-scripted interrogation
comprising a plurality of preprogrammed inquiries for the
dispatcher to ask the caller in order to systematically obtain a
description of the incident involving the possible chemical
suicide, wherein the description of the incident comprises caller
responses to the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries, and wherein
the preprogrammed inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation
include: asking the type of structure the possible chemical suicide
occurred, asking about observable indicators of chemical suicide;
receive, via the input device, dispatcher-entered input
corresponding to caller responses to the preprogrammed inquiries of
the pre-scripted interrogation, and determine automatically on the
dispatch center computer device a predictive value based on
dispatcher-entered input representative of caller responses to one
or more of the preprogrammed inquires, wherein the predictive value
represents the likelihood that a chemical suicide occurred.
14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein said pre-programmed
inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation are according to a path
along the logic tree that is traversed based on responses to the
preprogrammed inquiries.
15. The computer system of claim 13, the memory further comprising
a user interface that is displayed on the output device and
configured to facilitate presentation of preprogrammed inquiries
and to facilitate receiving dispatcher-entered input.
16. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the protocol is
configured to determine the predictive value by determining whether
a response to the preprogrammed inquiry asking about observable
indicators of chemical suicide indicates an incident involving a
chemical suicide.
17. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the chemical suicide
protocol is further configured to determine from dispatcher-entered
input whether there is a potentially dangerous scene.
18. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the preprogrammed
inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation include asking what
symptoms the caller is experiencing.
19. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the preprogrammed
inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation differ based on the
type of structure in which the possible chemical suicide
occurred.
20. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the protocol is
further configured to update automatically on the dispatch center
computer device the predictive value based on a response to the
preprogrammed inquiry asking about observable indicators of
chemical suicide.
21. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the protocol assigns
some of the dispatcher-entered input greater weight than others in
determining the predictive value.
22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored
thereon computer-readable instruction code for a dispatch center
computer to perform a method to assist a dispatcher when
communicating vocally with a caller via a communication device
regarding a victim of an incident involving a possible chemical
suicide, the method comprising: presenting on a dispatch center
computer device a pre-scripted interrogation comprising a plurality
of preprogrammed inquiries for the dispatcher to ask the caller to
systematically obtain a description of the incident, the
description of the incident comprising caller responses to the
plurality of preprogrammed inquiries, wherein the dispatch center
computer device includes a logic tree configured to determine the
preprogrammed inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation and
automatically determine a predictive value based on
dispatcher-entered input representative of caller responses to one
or more of the preprogrammed inquires, and wherein the plurality of
preprogrammed inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation include
asking the type of structure the possible chemical suicide
occurred, asking about observable indicators of chemical suicide;
receiving dispatcher-entered input on the dispatch center computer
device representative of caller responses to the preprogrammed
inquiries of the pre-scripted interrogation; and assigning on the
dispatch center computer device a predictive value determined by
the logic tree and the pre-scripted interrogation.
Description
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0001] .COPYRGT. 2015 Priority Dispatch Corp. on assignment. A
portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material
that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no
objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent
document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and
Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR .sctn.1.71(d).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to computer systems and
methods for providing emergency protocol interrogation,
instruction, and dispatch. More specifically, the disclosure is
directed to computer-implemented protocols to enable a dispatcher
to process emergency calls in an accurate, consistent, and
systematic manner by guiding the dispatcher during interrogation
and instruction of an emergency caller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the
disclosure are described, including various embodiments of the
disclosure with reference to the figures, in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an emergency medical
dispatch system, according to one embodiment.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a high-level flow diagram of an emergency medical
dispatch protocol of an emergency medical dispatch system,
according to one embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a user interface of an emergency medical dispatch
system, according to one embodiment.
[0007] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a chemical suicide diagnostic tool
user interface according to one embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a high-level flow diagram of a method implemented
by a chemical suicide dispatch protocol for a chemical suicide
diagnostic tool, according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a detailed flow diagram of a method implemented by
a chemical suicide dispatch protocol for a chemical suicide
diagnostic tool, according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Suicide by inhaling poisonous vapors that can be created
from a mixture of household chemicals is commonly referred to as
chemical suicide. Chemical suicide not only is harmful to the
victim, but also may be hazardous to an unknowing passerby,
emergency responders, and any others who may come in contact with
the poisonous vapors.
[0011] Emergency dispatchers are often the first emergency
personnel to receive information concerning an incident. In their
role of receiving emergency calls, an emergency dispatchers are in
a unique position to potentially be the first to identify and/or
report a chemical suicide. By identifying a chemical suicide, a
dispatcher may take steps and provide instructions to improve scene
safety for the caller and emergency responders. Unfortunately,
often emergency dispatchers are inexperienced and unskilled,
largely due to a high turnover rate among emergency
dispatchers.
[0012] Emergency dispatchers handle emergency calls reporting a
wide variety of emergency situations. An automated emergency
dispatch system, potentially implemented on a computer, can aid
even an unskilled and inexperienced dispatcher in prioritizing
emergency calls that are received and in processing the calls to
generate an appropriate emergency dispatch response. Regardless of
the experience or skill level of the dispatcher, the automated
emergency dispatch system can enable a consistent and predictable
emergency dispatch response, despite the diverse aspects of
emergency situations that may be reported from one call to the
next.
[0013] Although an automated emergency dispatch system can enable
receiving and processing of widely divergent aspects of emergency
situations, these systems may not be well suited for processing
particular types of unique situations. More particularly, an
automated emergency dispatch system may not be well suited to
gathering and assessing factors that may be indicative of a
chemical suicide. An emergency situation possibly involving
chemical suicide may be hazardous to an unknowing passerby.
Additional interrogation and instructions, and/or alternative
emergency dispatch procedures or protocols may improve safety at a
possibly dangerous scene, and facilitate gathering information that
can be used in identifying a chemical suicide.
[0014] Existing automated emergency dispatch systems are not
equipped to assist or enable a dispatcher to process an emergency
call involving a chemical suicide. A dispatcher unfamiliar with
chemical suicide incidents and/or untrained in handling them may
not be able to compensate for the shortcomings of an automated
emergency dispatch system. Inexperienced and/or unskilled
dispatchers are generally unable to initiate or assist a proper
medical response, or to provide effective advice to callers. Even
highly skilled and experienced dispatchers may have little skill or
experience with handling incidents involving chemical suicide,
simply because such incidents may be relatively rare compared to
other types of incidents that are reported. Accordingly, the
present disclosure provides a method and system for processing of
emergency calls involving chemical suicides in a rapid, consistent,
and predictable manner.
[0015] The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by
reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by
like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the
components of the disclosed embodiments, as generally described and
illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed
in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following
detailed description of the embodiments of the systems and methods
of the disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible
embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, the steps of a method
do not necessarily need to be executed in any specific order, or
even sequentially, nor need the steps be executed only once, unless
otherwise specified.
[0016] In some cases, well-known features, structures, or
operations are not shown or described in detail. Furthermore, the
described features, structures, or operations may be combined in
any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will also be
readily understood that the components of the embodiments as
generally described and illustrated in the figures herein could be
arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations.
[0017] Several aspects of the embodiments described will be
illustrated as software modules or components. As used herein, a
software module or component may include any type of computer
instruction or computer-executable code located within a memory
device and/or computer-readable storage medium. A software module
may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks
of computer instructions, which may be organized as a routine,
program, object, component, data structure, etc. that performs one
or more tasks or implements particular abstract data types.
[0018] In certain embodiments, a particular software module may
comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations of a
memory storage device, which together implement the described
functionality of the module. Indeed, a module may comprise a single
instruction or many instructions, and may be distributed over
several different code segments, among different programs, and
across several memory devices. Some embodiments may be practiced in
a distributed computing environment where tasks are performed by a
remote processing device linked through a communications network.
In a distributed computing environment, software modules may be
located in local and/or remote memory storage devices. In addition,
data being tied or rendered together in a database record may be
resident in the same memory device, or across several memory
devices, and may be linked together in fields of a record in a
database across a network.
[0019] Suitable software to assist in implementing the invention is
readily provided by those of skill in the pertinent art(s) using
the teachings presented here and programming languages and tools,
such as Java, Pascal, C++, C, database languages, APIs, SDKs,
assembly, firmware, microcode, and/or other languages and
tools.
[0020] An emergency dispatch system as disclosed herein may be
computer-implemented in whole or in part on a digital computer. The
digital computer includes a processor performing the required
computations. The computer further includes a memory in electronic
communication with the processor to store a computer operating
system. The computer operating systems may include, but are not
limited to, MS-DOS, Windows, Linux, Unix, AIX, CLIX, QNX, OS/2, and
Apple. Alternatively, it is expected that future embodiments will
be adapted to execute on other future operating systems. The memory
may also store application programs including a Computer Aided
Dispatch (CAD) program, an automated emergency dispatch protocol,
and a user interface program. The memory may also include data
storage. The computer may further include an output device, such as
a display unit, for viewing the displayed instructions and
inquiries, and a user input device for inputting response data.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an emergency medical dispatch system 100,
according to one embodiment. At a dispatch center 102, a dispatcher
104 may operate a computer 106 or other computing device. The
computer 106 may include a memory 107 to store protocols, modules,
tools, data, etc. The computer 106 may be configured to follow an
emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 to enable the dispatcher
104 to rapidly and consistently address an emergency incident
involving a crime or requiring medical assistance, as reported by a
caller 118. An emergency call requesting law enforcement or medical
attention may report an incident that may involve a victim 117. As
can be appreciated, in some circumstances and/or incidents, the
caller 118 is the victim 117. In other instances the caller 118 may
be a second party (e.g., a person with the victim 117), third party
(e.g., a person not in the immediate vicinity of the victim 117),
fourth party (e.g., a reporting or referral agency), or the suspect
(or perpetrator). The emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 may
include a logic tree, preprogrammed inquiries or questions,
possible responses from a caller 118 to the inquiries, and
instructions to the caller 118. The responses may route to
subsequent preprogrammed inquiries and/or instructions to the
caller 118. The emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 may also
include dispatch protocols 124 for guiding the dispatcher 104 in
processing emergency calls involving specific situations and/or
incidents. The dispatch protocols 124 may similarly include a logic
tree, preprogrammed inquiries or questions, possible responses from
a caller 118 to the preprogrammed inquiries, and instructions for
the caller 118. The dispatch protocols 124 may include a chemical
suicide protocol 126 for rapid, consistent, and predictable
processing of emergency calls involving possible chemical
suicide.
[0022] The responses of the caller 118 are processed according to
predetermined logic of the logic tree of the emergency medical
dispatch protocol 108. The predetermined logic may enable the
emergency medical dispatch system 100 to provide to the dispatcher
104 information concerning the correct emergency medical dispatch
response (e g., by trained law enforcement officers or agencies
and/or other emergency responders). The predetermined logic may
also enable the emergency medical dispatch system 100 to provide to
the dispatcher 104 appropriate post-dispatch instructions for relay
to the caller 118 before professional help arrives at the scene.
The predetermined logic may also enable the emergency medical
dispatch system 100 to aid the dispatcher in determining an
appropriate priority of the emergency call, including but not
limited to a priority of the emergency call relative to other
emergency calls and a level of emergency response to provide for
the reported incident or situation.
[0023] Although an emergency medical dispatch system 100 is
disclosed and described herein, a person of ordinary skill can
appreciate that other emergency dispatch systems and protocols are
contemplated, including but not limited to emergency medical
dispatch systems and protocols and emergency fire dispatch systems
and protocols. Exemplary embodiments of emergency dispatch systems
and protocols are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,857,966; 5,989,187;
6,004,266; 6,010,451; 6,053,864; 6,076,065; 6,078,894; 6,106,459;
6,607,481; 7,106,835; 7,428,301; 7,436,937; 7,645,234; 8,066,638;
8,103,523; 8,294,570; 8,335,298; 8,355,483; 8,417,533; 8,488,748;
and 8,670,526, which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0024] The computer 106 operates a determinant value calculator 110
to calculate a determinant value from the responses of the caller
118 to protocol questions. The determinant value may be selected
from a group of pre-established determinant values, such that the
emergency responders are familiar with the determinant values and
understand the meaning of each and what would be a corresponding
emergency response. For example, the determinant values may range
from E-1 for generally very serious emergencies to .OMEGA.-2 for
generally less serious emergencies. The determinant value may
provide a categorization code of the type and level of the
incident.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the determinant
value is a combination of a determinant level (Alpha A, Bravo B,
Charlie C, Delta D, Echo E and Omega .OMEGA.) and a numeric value.
Generally, .OMEGA.-2 is the least serious while E-1 is the most
serious call. Depending on the determinant level, the appropriate
emergency response is dispatched as indicated by the response
protocol. For example, an Alpha-A call will typically be responded
to by a next available law enforcement unit/medical personnel using
the safest arrival method reasonably possible. A Delta-D call will
typically be responded to by any or all available law enforcement
units/medical personnel proceeding under the most urgent method
possible. Echo-E calls typically involve likely immediate
life-threatening situations and will be responded to in the most
urgent manner available. Bravo-B and Charlie-C calls are
intermediate calls that are typically responded to in
business-like, orderly manner according to specific department
protocol. An Omega-.OMEGA. call is generally not specifically
responded to, but rather is referred to another person or agency.
For the purposes of this disclosure, Echo-E is generally
abbreviated as E; Delta-D is generally abbreviated as D; Charlie-C
is generally abbreviated as C; Bravo-B is generally abbreviated as
B; Alpha-A is generally abbreviated as A; and Omega-.OMEGA. is
generally abbreviated as .OMEGA.. Generally, the lower determinant
levels (e.g., numbers) within a determinant classification are more
urgent than higher numbers. For example, an emergency dispatch call
with a determinant value of D-1 is generally more critical,
requiring a more urgent response than a call with a determinant
value of D-2. However, in some instances, the numeric determinant
levels within a determinant value may serve only to identify the
type, rather than criticality, of the call. Also, if more than one
determinant value can be assigned to a particular call, the more
critical or higher determinant value is assigned. That is, the call
is assigned a criticality determinant value based on the fact or
aspect that would lead to the most urgent response. For example, if
the call concerns a burglary that occurred over 30 minutes before,
but where the suspect remains on the scene or nearby and the caller
indicates that he or she is still in danger and feels his or her
life is in imminent danger, then the determinant value assigned
would be E-1 (due to the imminent danger) rather than D-2 (suspect
on scene or nearby) or B-1 (incident occurred over 30 minutes
before).
[0026] Many calls for law enforcement and/or medical assistance are
not true emergencies, so it is important to prioritize the calls in
several ways. First, calls that are true emergencies should be
dispatched first. Second, if an agency has units with different
capabilities, the emergencies involving more severe problems can be
sent units that are more skilled and advanced (e.g., a S.W.A.T.
team or bomb squad). And finally, if lights and siren are not
needed, they should not be used, thereby increasing the safety of
all those on the road and in the emergency response vehicles. The
computer 106 presents the determinant value to generate an
appropriate emergency dispatch response and/or establish the
priority of the emergency call. The response may include
dispatching professional law enforcement officers or other
emergency responders to the scene of the emergency. The protocols
used shall have passed through a rigorous review by a panel of
experienced law enforcement agents and EMS public safety
experts.
[0027] The determinant value may be provided to a Computer Aided
Dispatch (CAD) system 112, which is a tool that a dispatcher 104
may use to track and allocate emergency response resources for
processing emergency calls. The CAD system 112 may manage
dispatcher tools for processing emergency calls, including but not
limited to the emergency medical dispatch protocol 108,
communication resources (e.g., radio system, alpha pager), mapping
tools (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) technology, geographic
information systems (GIS)), and vehicle location systems (e.g.,
automatic vehicle location (AVL)). The CAD system 112 may operate
in whole or in part on a separate computer in communication with
the computer 106. In another embodiment, the CAD system 112
operates on the computer 106. The primary information used by the
CAD system 112 is location information of the incident and units,
unit availability, and the type of incident. The CAD system 112 may
use third party solutions, such as E-911, vehicle location
transponders, and mobile data terminals (MDT's) for automating the
location and availability tasks. The CAD system 112 may also use an
emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 to facilitate structured
call taking for incident interrogation, as previously
described.
[0028] Although many emergency calls are not true emergencies, all
situations can benefit from expert evaluation and pertinent
instruction. Prior to the arrival of professional help on-scene,
the emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 may provide the
dispatcher 104 with instructions for the caller 118 that are
appropriate to the type of call, whether the call relates to a
complaint of vandalism or to a homicide. These instructions may
help expedite the work of law enforcement officers and/or other
emergency responders.
[0029] The computer 106 may include a reporting component 114 to
statistically measure the performance of individual staff and
overall performance of the dispatch center 102. To record
information received during a call, the dispatcher 104 may be
required to open a new case. Once the call is complete, the
dispatcher 104 may close the case, and a case summary may be saved.
The case summary may be retrieved later for review and/or analysis.
The reporting component 114 may determine statistics from the case
summaries and/or while the cases are open. The statistics may
include compliance rates, call processing statistics, and peer
measurements.
[0030] The computer 106 may further comprise an input device 128,
such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, laser pointer, or other
input device, and an output device 130, such as a display monitor.
The input device 128 receives input from a user (generally a
dispatcher 104) and provides the input to the emergency medical
dispatch system 100. The input may be provided to the computer 106,
the emergency medical dispatch protocol 108, a diagnostic tool 120,
and/or the CAD system 112. The output device 130 receives output
from the emergency medical dispatch system 100 and displays or
otherwise provides the output to the user. In another embodiment,
the input device 128 and output device 130 are provided by the CAD
system 112.
[0031] The dispatch center 102 includes a communication device 116
(e.g., telephone equipment) to answer emergency calls. In some
embodiments, the communication device 116 may be coupled to the
computer 106 to enable the computer 106 to send and/or receive text
messages and/or to identify dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF)
signals received at the communication device 116. A call into the
dispatch center 102 from a caller 118 may initiate creation of an
emergency call incident. The dispatcher 104 identifies the call as
requiring an emergency medical dispatch, and the emergency medical
dispatch protocol 108 is accessed. The protocol 108, including the
dispatch protocols 124, may provide questions and/or instructions
that are expertly drafted to assist a novice caller 118 in
reporting aspects of the incident, and/or assessing a situation of
a victim 117. The protocol 108 may also provide expertly drafted
instructions to assist a victim 117 prior to the arrival of trained
law enforcement and/or emergency responders. The instructions may
be vocally relayed by the dispatcher 104 to the caller 118 over the
communication device 116.
[0032] Some protocol inquiries or questions may be readily
answerable by the caller 118, whereas others may be more difficult
to answer. Certain diagnostic inquiries may be difficult for the
untrained caller to determine or may be difficult to answer under
the stress of an emergency situation. Accordingly, in addition to
instructions, the emergency medical dispatch system 100 may provide
one or more computer-implemented diagnostic tools 120. The
diagnostic tools 120 may greatly improve information collection and
intervention for emergency medical response situations and aid in
saving lives.
[0033] A diagnostic tool 120 may aid the dispatcher 104 and/or the
caller 118 (via instructions from the dispatcher 104) in assessing
a situation of a victim 117. A diagnostic tool 120 may also be an
interventional tool, providing instructions that direct a caller
118 to intervene, or take action, to aid a victim 117, or otherwise
change the circumstances or conditions of an emergency situation.
For sake of clarity, diagnostic tools and interventional tools are
both referred to herein generally as diagnostic tools. Accordingly,
a diagnostic tool 120, as referred to herein, may provide
diagnostic instructions, interventional instructions, or both
diagnostic and interventional instructions. Whether a diagnostic
tool 120 provides merely diagnostic instructions, merely
interventional instructions, or both diagnostic and interventional
instructions, the diagnostic tool 120 provides consistent and
reliable instruction, information gathering, and/or timing for a
particular emergency situation.
[0034] The diagnostic tools 120 are computer-implemented software
modules that enable a dispatcher 104 to provide consistent, expert
advice to assist a caller 118 with regards to a particular aspect
of an emergency situation, such as determining a vital sign. One
benefit of the diagnostic tools 120 is the computer-aided timing of
techniques to determine the vital signs. In highly stressful
conditions, the diagnostic tools 120 provide a necessary resource
for reading critical signs. The diagnostic tools 120 may be stored
in the memory of the computer 106 and initiated and executed as
required. The diagnostic tools 120 may be embodied as
computer-executable software applications and associated data.
[0035] The emergency medical dispatch protocol 108, including the
dispatch protocols 124, also may call on one or more diagnostic
tools 120 to assist with an inquiry and may route to the
appropriate diagnostic tool 120 when needed. When directed
according to the protocol, the emergency medical dispatch protocol
108 may automatically, i.e., without dispatcher 104 intervention,
initiate the appropriate diagnostic tool 120. This may occur when
the emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 arrives at a diagnosis
or assessment step in the logic tree. The emergency medical
dispatch system 100 may also allow the dispatcher 104 the option to
call upon a diagnostic tool 120 as desired. Icons may be displayed
in a tool bar or other convenient location on a user interface to
allow the dispatcher 104 to initiate a corresponding diagnostic
tool 120. One particular diagnostic tool 120 discussed herein may
be a chemical suicide diagnostic tool 122.
[0036] The chemical suicide diagnostic tool 122 may be configured
to advance scene safety for the caller 118. By asking specific
questions about the scene that do not require the caller 118 to be
near the potentially hazardous chemicals, the dispatcher 104 may
gather information about the incident without placing the caller
118 in danger. The chemical suicide diagnostic tool 122 may provide
a warning that the scene is dangerous. Based on that warning, the
dispatcher 104 may advise the caller 118 to evacuate the scene.
[0037] The chemical suicide diagnostic tool 122 may also be
configured to advise emergency responders that an emergency
incident to which they are responding may involve a chemical
suicide. Advanced warning that the incident may involve hazardous
chemicals enables the emergency responders to take available
precautions and to be more alert to potential factors and
information that indicate a chemical suicide. The presence of a
possible chemical suicide may be communicated through addition of a
suffix to the determinant value. Specific details about the
chemical suicide, such as the bias category, may be passed to the
emergency responders via a dispatcher communication with the
responders, which may include a responder script.
[0038] The chemical suicide diagnostic tool 122 may be launched
from within, or at least in conjunction with, the progression of
the emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 and dispatch protocols
124, including the chemical suicide protocol 126, to enhance and
supplement emergency call processing facilitated by the emergency
medical dispatch protocol 108. The chemical suicide diagnostic tool
122 may be launched automatically by the emergency medical dispatch
protocol 108, or launched manually by a dispatcher 104.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a high-level flow diagram of an emergency medical
dispatch protocol 108 of an emergency medical dispatch system,
according to one embodiment. The protocol 108 may begin with a case
entry protocol 202 that guides the dispatcher in gathering initial
information. One aim of the case entry protocol 202 is to obtain
sufficient information from the caller to permit identification of
a chief complaint. Also, the case entry protocol 108 may be
considered a primary interrogation because all calls may be
processed through the case entry protocol 202 to gather initial
incident information. The information received through the case
entry protocol 202 may include a location of the incident, a
call-back number in the event the call is disconnected, the
caller's name, and a description of the incident.
[0040] If the dispatcher receives and enters information that an
incident is especially critical for any reason (e.g., a caller in
imminent danger, a sinking vehicle, a vehicle in rising flood
water, or a vehicle that cannot stop because of a stuck
accelerator), an emergency response is dispatched 204 immediately,
before the dispatcher continues with any further interrogation or
instructions. The dispatched 204 emergency response may be a
maximum emergency response, including properly trained law
enforcement officers and medical personnel. The criticality of the
incident is verified 206 and pre-arrival instructions are given
208. The pre-arrival instructions can be tailored to the specific
incident and/or situation. Typically, a result of properly conveyed
(by the dispatcher) and executed (by the caller) pre-arrival
instructions may be a more calm, stable situation at the time the
emergency responders arrive, and/or reduced risk of injury or death
for the caller. The pre-arrival instructions may aid to ensure
safety and improve the effectiveness of the dispatched 204
emergency response.
[0041] If the dispatcher receives information from the caller to
confirm the incident is not critical (e.g., not an imminent
danger), but the dispatcher lacks sufficient information to proceed
directly to a dispatch protocol 124, the emergency medical dispatch
protocol 108 may shunt to additional inquiries 210 designed to
guide the dispatcher to gather information from the caller to
enable the dispatcher to ascertain the chief complaint. If the
chief complaint is determined, the emergency medical dispatch
protocol 108 may shunt to the appropriate dispatch protocol 124 for
dealing with that chief complaint.
[0042] The dispatch protocol 124 may guide the dispatcher through a
secondary interrogation focusing on the chief complaint. The
dispatch protocol 124 may present a pre-scripted interrogation to
enable a more orderly and detailed understanding of the incident
that can be communicated to emergency responders. The pre-scripted
interrogation may include preprogrammed inquiries focused on
gathering information relating to the chief complaint. The
preprogrammed inquiries provided by the dispatch protocol 124 may
be termed "Key Questions" for the particular situation or condition
of the chief complaint. The preprogrammed inquiries presented may
depend on caller responses. Dispatch protocols 124 may utilize
diagnostic tools 120 to evaluate gathered information.
[0043] During the dispatch protocol 124, the dispatcher and/or the
emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 will gather, through
interrogation, information about the circumstances of the incident
or emergency situation, and may dispatch 214 an appropriate
emergency dispatch response. The dispatch protocol 124 facilitates
uniform and consistent gathering of information relating to the
emergency and dispatching of an appropriate emergency dispatch
response. The appropriate emergency dispatch response may be
determined through a system of assigning determinant values as the
protocol progresses (i.e., traverses) through a logic tree. The
determinant values, as described above, may range, for example,
from E-I for generally very serious emergencies to .OMEGA.-2 for
generally less serious emergencies. In another embodiment, the
determinant values may range differently, such as for example from
A-I for generally very serious emergencies to E-5 for generally
less serious emergencies.
[0044] After the appropriate emergency dispatch response has been
sent (e.g., law enforcement officers), the dispatcher may remain on
the telephone with the caller to provide post-dispatch instructions
216 regarding what to do, and what not to do, prior to the arrival
of medical personnel and/or law enforcement officers. The
post-dispatch instructions 216 help to stabilize the situation, and
to expedite the work of emergency responders at the scene.
Post-dispatch instructions may include, for example, "do not
disturb anything at the scene, including weapons, tools, or objects
found nearby," "stay on the line and I'll tell you exactly what to
do next," and the like.
[0045] FIG. 3 depicts a user interface 300 of an emergency medical
dispatch system, according to one embodiment. The emergency medical
dispatch system user interface 300 allows a dispatcher to interface
with the emergency medical dispatch protocol. The illustrated user
interface 300 is shown traversing a case entry protocol 202 of the
emergency medical dispatch protocol 108 (described above with
reference to FIG. 2). The emergency medical dispatch protocol may
present inquiries 302 (or questions) via the emergency medical
dispatch system user interface 300. The inquiries 302 are provided
for the dispatcher to relay to the caller to gather information
regarding the reported incident or emergency. The dispatcher and/or
the emergency medical dispatch system may gather the information in
the form of caller responses to the inquiries 302. The dispatcher
may input the responses of the caller to the inquiries into
response fields 304 provided by the user interface 300. The
response fields 304 may include, for example, any of a number of
appropriate input field types, including but not limited to text
fields, text boxes, menus, drop-down menus, drop-down selection
boxes, lists, buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, and/or hybrid
fields. For example, a text field for identifying the problem may
allow for free-form input but also provide a list of suggestions to
the dispatcher that can be inserted into the text field by clicking
and/or double-clicking an entry in the list. The response fields
304 may correspond to information indicative of one or more
responses of the caller to the inquiries 302. In some embodiments,
the inquiries 302 may change from an interrogative form to an
assertional form after a response has been entered and/or when a
cursor is not in the corresponding response field 304.
[0046] The caller responses are relayed from the caller to the
dispatcher, typically over the telephone. Information from the
caller responses may be input into the system by the dispatcher and
may be used by the emergency medical dispatch protocol to determine
subsequent inquiries 302 and instructions to present to the
dispatcher. The caller response information may indicate the
caller's observations of the incident and/or current situation. The
emergency medical dispatch system may use the caller response
information to generate an emergency dispatch response by properly
trained emergency responders. The information gathered from the
caller responses may be used by the determinant value calculator to
calculate a determinant value that can be communicated to the
emergency responders. Additional details relating to emergency
medical dispatch protocols and user interfaces to interact with the
same can be found in the earlier referenced U.S. patents.
[0047] The system user interface 300 may also provide one or more
diagnostic tool launch input components 306. As illustrated, one or
more buttons may be provided on the user interface 300 as
diagnostic tool launch input components 306. As will be appreciated
by a person of ordinary skill, the diagnostic tool launch input
components 306 may comprise a component other than a button,
including familiar user interface components such as a drop-down
menu, a drop-down selection box, a list, a checkbox, and a radio
button. The diagnostic tool launch input components 306 enable the
dispatcher to launch a particular diagnostic tool. Although the
dispatch protocol may automatically initiate a diagnostic tool
based on dispatcher-entered input indicative of one or more
responses of the caller, the diagnostic tool launch input
components 306 provide a way for the dispatcher to manually (e.g.,
anytime, at the dispatcher's discretion) initiate a diagnostic
tool.
[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the user interface
300 provides a chemical suicide diagnostic tool launch input
component 308. As shown, the chemical suicide diagnostic tool
launch input component 308 may comprise a button on the emergency
medical dispatch system user interface 300. The button may include
an icon, such as an image of a skull and crossbones, to indicate
that the button is the chemical suicide diagnostic tool launch
input component 308 that manually initiates the chemical suicide
diagnostic tool. In another embodiment, the button may include a
label to convey that the button is the chemical suicide diagnostic
tool launch input component 308.
[0049] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a chemical suicide diagnostic tool
user interface 400 according to one embodiment. Referring
collectively to FIGS. 4A-4C, the diagnostic tool user interface 400
provides one or more instructions 402 to the dispatcher, structure
classification input components 404a, 404b, an observations pane
406, a bystander symptom pane 408, a criteria summary pane 410, a
recommendation field 412, an instruction pane 413, a return input
component 414, and a reset input component 416.
[0050] The diagnostic tool user interface 400 is configured to
assist a dispatcher in determining the likelihood that a chemical
suicide has occurred. When an emergency caller reports that a
victim is suspected to have committed or currently is committing
chemical suicide, or otherwise reports observations that raise
concern that the victim may have committed chemical suicide, the
appropriate level of emergency response may depend largely on the
likelihood that a chemical suicide has occurred. A difficulty
arises in that often emergency callers are not skilled in
identifying indicators that are factors used in determining or
assessing the likelihood that a chemical suicide has occurred. The
caller's lack of skill may present a safety concern, as the caller
may fail to recognize the hazardous situation and enter the
structure where the victim is. Similarly, the dispatcher may lack
skill and experience to properly inquire and guide the caller in
identifying and weighing indicators that are factors used in
determining or assessing the likelihood that the victim has
committed chemical suicide. In such case, the dispatcher's
questions may cause the caller to enter into the dangerous
space.
[0051] The diagnostic tool user interface 400, according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure, may provide a pre-scripted
interrogation of questions that help identify indicators that can
be used to determine whether a chemical suicide has occurred.
Indicators may include evidence observable at the scene, symptoms
the caller and other bystanders are experiencing and/or other signs
indicative of a chemical suicide. The diagnostic tool user
interface 400 receives input corresponding to, or otherwise
indicative of, the various identified indicators and uses the input
to determine a likelihood that the victim is committing or has
committed chemical suicide. The determination can be conveyed to
the dispatcher via the diagnostic tool user interface 400 and/or
conveyed to the emergency dispatch system. The manner by which the
chemical suicide diagnostic tool can aid in determining the
likelihood of chemical suicide will be made apparent by the
following description of the illustrated embodiment of the
diagnostic tool user interface 400.
[0052] The diagnostic tool user interface 400 may present one or
more instructions intended to guide the dispatcher in using the
tool. In the illustrated embodiment, the diagnostic tool user
interface 400 provides an instruction 402 to request that the
dispatcher classify the location into a structure category.
Chemical suicide happens when chemicals are combined and inhaled in
an enclosed space, such as a car or a building. The indicators of a
chemical suicide may be different depending on what structure it
occurs in. Accordingly, the diagnostic tool may function
differently based on the structure in which the victim is. Location
information of the victim may be communicated to the diagnostic
tool by the emergency dispatch system, if the location information
was previously obtained during processing of the call. The
diagnostic tool user interface 400 also provides one or more
structure classification input components 404a, 404b to allow the
dispatcher to provide the information to the diagnostic tool. As
can be appreciated, the dispatcher may need to ask the caller the
structure in which the victim is if this information is not known.
However, the configuration of the instruction 402 and structure
classification input components 404a, 404b of the diagnostic tool
user interface 400 provide intuitive guidance to the dispatcher to
gather and/or provide information to the diagnostic tool concerning
the victim's location.
[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the structure classification
input components 404a, 404b are buttons that the dispatcher can
click to quickly and efficiently designate the structure in which
the chemical suicide occurred. FIG. 4A illustrates the diagnostic
tool user interface 400 prior to the dispatcher providing structure
classification input to the diagnostic tool. The structure
classification input components 404a, 404b include a label to
clearly indicate to the dispatcher the information that will be
entered by operating the button. For example, a first structure
classification input component 404a includes a label "in vehicle"
to indicate that clicking on the input component 404a enters
information to the diagnostic tool that the victim is in a vehicle.
A second structure classification input component 404b includes a
label "in building/structure" to indicate that clicking on the
input component 404b enters information to the diagnostic tool that
the victim is in a building or structure. As can be appreciated, in
another embodiment, the structure classification input components
404a, 404b are not limited to buttons and may include, for example,
familiar user interface components, including but not limited to
text fields, text boxes, menus, drop-down menus, drop-down
selection boxes, lists, buttons, check boxes, and radio buttons, or
any combination thereof.
[0054] The observations pane 406 presents one or more possible
indicators 424 (FIG. 4B) of a chemical suicide to the dispatcher.
The possible indicators 424 may include questions intended to be
relayed by the dispatcher to the caller, to aid the dispatcher in
guiding the caller to identify evidence that the victim has
committed chemical suicide. The possible indicators 424 may also
include questions directed solely to the dispatcher. FIG. 4B
illustrates the diagnostic tool user interface 400 presenting a
list of possible indicators 424 in the observations pane 406. In
the illustrated embodiment, the possible indicators 424 are
presented in a list. As can be appreciated, other presentation
forms are possible, including but not limited to presenting the
possible indicators serially.
[0055] The possible indicators 424 generally may relate to typical
evidence found around the scene of a chemical suicide. This
evidence may be different depending on the structure in which the
victim is. For example, a chemical suicide in a vehicle may appear
different from chemical suicide in a house. Further, in order to
keep the caller out of danger, the evidence may be observable from
a distance.
[0056] FIG. 4B illustrates possible indicators 424 for a chemical
suicide occurring in a vehicle. As shown evidence of a chemical
suicide may include but is not limited to "Notices or printed
warning signs," "Visible fumes," "Smoky or foggy windows,"
Household cleaning products," "Buckets, coolers, or containers,"
"Goggles on occupant," "Gloves on occupant," "Unusual odor/Bad
taste," "Tarp covering all or part of vehicle," "and "All windows
and doors closed." The particular indicators presented, and the
order in which they are presented, may depend on previously entered
information. In another embodiment, the indicators presented may
depend on whether the caller indicated other indicators are
present. The diagnostic tool may traverse a logic tree that defines
which indicators are presented in which order.
[0057] The bystander symptom pane 408 may also present one or more
possible indicators 424. These indicators 424 may relate to
symptoms the caller or other bystander is experiencing. The
diagnostic tool user interface 400 may present the dispatcher with
these indicators. The dispatcher may ask the caller if he/she is
experiencing any of the symptoms. If the caller indicates that
he/she is experiencing any of the symptoms, this may be further
evidence that a chemical suicide did occur, and that the scene is
potentially dangerous. The bystander symptom pane 408 may provide a
way for the dispatcher to systematically and predictably determine
if the caller is in danger. For example, symptoms may include
"Dizziness," "Lightheadedness," "abnormal breathing,"
"burning/irritated eyes."
[0058] The response input components 409 provided by the user
interface allow the dispatcher to quickly enter the caller's
response to questions about possible indicators 424 presented in
the observations pane 406 and the bystander symptom pane 408. In
the illustrated embodiment, the response input components 409 are
checkboxes that can be clicked by the dispatcher to indicate that
the evidence was observed by the caller. For example, if the caller
observes a certain indicator, the checkbox can be selected by the
dispatcher and a checkmark would appear. As can be appreciated, in
another embodiment, the response input components 409 are not
limited to checkboxes and may include, for example, familiar user
interface components, including but not limited to text fields,
text boxes, menus, drop-down menus, drop-down selection, boxes,
lists, buttons, and radio buttons, or any combination thereof.
[0059] As the indicators 424 are being gathered, the diagnostic
tool may use the input to make a determination whether a chemical
suicide has occurred. The determination may be presented in the
recommendation field 412, as will be described below.
[0060] Based on the determination, the instruction pane 413 may
present the dispatcher with specific information. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 4C, the diagnostic tool has determined that
there is clear evidence, based on the input, of a chemical suicide.
In the illustrated embodiment this results in a warning appearing
in the instruction pane 413 indicating that the scene may be
dangerous and that there is a possibility of a chemical suicide.
The instruction pane 413 may also contain instructions that the
dispatcher may relay to the caller to improve caller safety. The
information in the instruction pane 413 may change based on the
likelihood of a chemical suicide.
[0061] Referring again collectively to FIGS. 4A-4C, and
specifically to FIG. 4C, the criteria summary pane 410 presents a
concise tally of the type of positive indicators received that
indicate the victim may have committed chemical suicide. The
criteria summary pane 410 provides one or more tally fields 418a,
418b (collectively 418) that display a tally of one or more types
of indicators. The tally displayed in a tally field 418a, 418b
concisely communicates, for example to a dispatcher, a basis for a
likelihood that a victim has committed chemical suicide. A tally
can be an objective value that quantifies the factors in favor of a
determination that a chemical suicide has occurred.
[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of tally fields
418 are presented to provide tallies of indicators in a plurality
of ranges of severity. Some of the indicators of chemical suicide
may be more determinative than other indicators; i.e., certain
indicators may or more strongly suggest a likelihood that the
victim has committed chemical suicide. For example, some indicators
may be unequivocal indicators because they may be substantially
determinative that the victim has committed chemical suicide. A
tally labeled "Unequivocal Criteria" may be helpful to indicate,
for example to the dispatcher, the number of these unequivocal
indicators that are present. A first tally field 418a may present
the tally of unequivocal indicators. Other indicators may be
equivocal indicators, which alone may not be indicative of a
chemical suicide, but a number of minor indicators, cumulatively,
may strongly suggest that a chemical suicide has occurred. A tally
labeled "Equivocal Criteria" may be helpful to indicate the number
of equivocal indicators. A second tally field 418b may present the
tally of equivocal indicators. The plurality of tally fields 418
can provide insight to the dispatcher as to how and why the
diagnostic tool reaches a particular result. The plurality of tally
fields 418 can provide a summary explanation of why a chemical
suicide is suspected.
[0063] As an example, the unequivocal indicators that may be
substantially determinative and counted in the tally "Unequivocal
Criteria" may include printed warning signs, visible fumes, door
cracks sealed, household cleaning products, goggles on occupant,
and tarp covering vehicle.
[0064] As another example, the equivocal indicators that
cumulatively may strongly suggest a chemical suicide and may be
counted in the tally "Equivocal Criteria" may include smoky/foggy
windows, buckets or containers, gloves on occupant, unusual
odor/bad taste, and all windows and doors closed.
[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the tally fields 418 provide
a running tally during the progression of the diagnostic tool. A
running tally may allow a dispatcher to anticipate a result of the
diagnostic tool, enabling the dispatcher to prepare for the next
steps in processing the emergency call.
[0066] The recommendation field 412 provides an indication to the
dispatcher of a recommendation and/or a determination made by the
diagnostic tool as to whether the victim has committed or is
currently committing chemical suicide. In FIG. 4C, the
recommendation field 412 presents an indication stating "Clear
Evidence" to indicate that the diagnostic tool has determined that
there is significant evidence, and/or a high likelihood, that a
chemical suicide has been committed. The recommendation field 412
may also present an indication stating "Strong Evidence" to
indicate that the diagnostic tool has determined that there is some
evidence of a chemical suicide. The recommendation field 412 may
also present an indication stating "Partial Evidence" to indicate
that the diagnostic tool has determined that there is little
evidence, but still a possibility, of a chemical suicide. The
recommendation field 412 may also present an indication stating "No
Evidence" to indicate that there is not sufficient evidence, or no
determined or discovered evidence, to determine that there was a
chemical suicide. As can be appreciated, other recommendations are
possible, including but not limited to "NEGATIVE" to indicate that
the victim has not committed chemical suicide.
[0067] A scoring formula may be included to score the criteria and
make a determination of the recommendation to present. As an
example, the following scoring formula may be used by the tool to
determine a recommendation to present in the recommendation field
412:
[0068] Clear Evidence if:
[0069] Two Unequivocal Criteria indicators are present, OR
[0070] Three Equivocal Criteria indicators are present, OR
[0071] One Unequivocal Criteria indicator and one or more
Unequivocal Criteria indicators are present.
[0072] Strong Evidence if:
[0073] One Unequivocal Criteria indicator is present,
[0074] OR
[0075] Two Equivocal Criteria indicators are present.
[0076] No Evidence if:
[0077] No Unequivocal Criteria and up to one Equivocal Criteria
indicators are present.
[0078] Other scoring formulas may be used. The scoring formulas may
also evolve, changing over time as accuracy of the prediction of
outcomes is assessed and improvements are made in diagnosing
chemical suicide.
[0079] A return input component 414 is also presented to the
dispatcher by the diagnostic tool user interface 400 to close the
diagnostic tool and/or diagnostic tool user interface 400, and
return processing and/or control to the medical dispatch protocol.
In the depicted embodiment, the return input component 414 is
provided as a button that the user can click on and that is labeled
"Return to Questions." The dispatcher clicks the return input
component 414 button to close the chemical suicide diagnostic tool.
In another embodiment, the return input component 414 may also
signal to the diagnostic tool to transfer the recommendation and/or
the information provided concerning the victim's diagnostic
instruction responses to the emergency medical dispatch protocol
and/or determinant value calculator, prior to the diagnostic tool
closing.
[0080] A reset input component 416 is also provided by the
diagnostic tool user interface 400 of FIGS. 4A-4C to allow a
dispatcher to reset the diagnostic tool. The reset input component
416 may clear all dispatcher-entered input from the diagnostic tool
user interface 400 and/or the diagnostic tool. The reset input
component 416 also moves progression along the logic tree back to
the beginning, essentially starting the diagnostic tool over.
[0081] FIG. 5 is a high-level flow diagram of a method 500
implemented by a chemical suicide dispatch protocol for a chemical
suicide diagnostic tool, according to one embodiment. The chemical
suicide diagnostic tool may be initiated (e.g., launched) from
within an emergency dispatch protocol. The emergency dispatch
protocol may automatically launch the tool based on input received
by the emergency dispatch protocol indicating that the victim may
have committed chemical suicide. The chemical suicide diagnostic
tool may also be launched manually, as desired, by the dispatcher.
Upon launching, the chemical suicide diagnostic tool may present a
user interface.
[0082] The user interface may present 504 preprogrammed inquiries
according to a pre-scripted interrogation. The preprogrammed
inquiries may be targeted to ascertain the likelihood of a chemical
suicide while keeping the caller and other bystanders safe. Data is
received 506 from the dispatcher, as relayed from the caller,
following the preprogrammed inquiries asked to the caller by the
dispatcher. The data received 506 may correspond to caller
responses to the preprogrammed inquiries. The data may be used to
determine subsequent questions, and/or to determine instructions to
provide to the dispatcher. The received data is also used by the
diagnostic tool to determine 508 the likelihood of a chemical
suicide and/or update an already determined predictive value.
Intermediate predictive values may be produced as information is
received and processed, and the final predictive value may be
determined after all information is received and processed.
[0083] The diagnostic tool may provide 510 appropriate instructions
to be relayed to the caller by the dispatcher. The instructions may
comprise post-dispatch instructions for the caller to help
stabilize or otherwise ameliorate a situation, to improve scene
safety, and to expedite the work of emergency responders at the
scene. A database may be accessed to produce appropriate
instructions. Records of the calls are stored 512 for historical
reports, for review and analysis of dispatcher performance, and for
continued quality assurance control. A record of a call may include
but is not limited to inquiries, responses, and predictive
values.
[0084] FIG. 6 is a detailed flow diagram of a method 600
implemented by a chemical suicide dispatch protocol for a chemical
suicide diagnostic tool, according to one embodiment. The chemical
suicide protocol is initialized, typically, from a prior protocol.
In particular, the chemical suicide protocol may be launched from
the case entry protocol. As can be appreciated, the chemical
suicide protocol may be accessed in a variety of ways. In an
embodiment, the chemical suicide protocol may initialize once the
emergency dispatch protocol has traversed all or a portion of a
case entry protocol and shunts to the chemical suicide protocol as
the appropriate dispatch protocol for handling the chief complaint
of the call. Also, an emergency dispatch protocol may automatically
shunt to the chemical suicide protocol immediately upon receiving
indication that a chemical suicide event is being reported.
[0085] The chemical suicide protocol may launch a chemical suicide
diagnostic tool to predict the likelihood of a chemical suicide
event. To predict the likelihood, the chemical suicide diagnostic
tool may present to the dispatcher a series of preprogrammed
inquiries. The preprogrammed inquiries may be considered a part of
a pre-scripted interrogation that is based on a logic tree of the
chemical suicide protocol. The flow diagram of FIG. 6 may be
considered to portray a logic tree, according to one embodiment.
The preprogrammed inquiries that are presented as part of a
pre-scripted interrogation may depend on dispatcher-entered input
as will be described. A pre-scripted interrogation may be
considered to be a set of preprogrammed inquiries presented
according to traversal of a path along the logic tree.
[0086] During a pre-scripted interrogation, the chemical suicide
protocol may receive input from the dispatcher corresponding to
instructions and preprogrammed inquiries, as was explained above
with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C and FIG. 5. The input may be received
substantially in real time, as the dispatcher provides the input.
Alternatively, or in addition, the input may be received from the
emergency dispatch system because information sought by the
chemical suicide protocol may have previously been obtained from
the dispatcher via the case entry protocol and/or another portion
of the dispatch protocol. Alternatively, or in addition, the input
may be received from another diagnostic tool. While explicit steps
of receiving information are not depicted in FIG. 6, an ordinarily
skilled artisan will recognize that input may be received at
various points in the method 600 of the chemical suicide
protocol.
[0087] The dispatcher-entered input relates to the emergency call
and/or the reported incident. The dispatcher-entered input may
affect the path along which the logic tree is traversed. Various
paths through one embodiment of a logic tree of a chemical suicide
protocol will now be described, including the corresponding
preprogrammed inquiries and potential dispatcher-entered input that
may be considered.
[0088] The dispatcher may be presented 602 with an option to
specify the structure type in which the incident is occurring. This
may prompt the dispatcher to ask the caller to specify the
structure if he/she has not already done so. The chemical suicide
protocol may present possible responses such as "In Vehicle" and
"In Building/Structure." Input may be received by way of selectable
buttons such as structure classification input component 404a and
404b (see FIG. 4), or other input methods.
[0089] If the response indicates the victim is in a vehicle, the
dispatcher may be presented with a preprogrammed inquiry, "Without
putting yourself in any danger, do you see, or know of, any of the
following things?" The dispatcher may be presented 604a-604j with a
list of chemical suicide indicators including "Notices or printed
warning signs in, on, or around the vehicle," "Visible fumes coming
from vehicle," "Smoky or foggy windows," "Household cleaning
products," "Buckets, cooler, or containers," "Goggles on occupant,"
"Gloves on occupant," Unusual odor/bad taste," "Tarp covering all
or part of vehicle (or nearby)," and "All windows and doors
closed." The dispatcher can query the caller to see if any of the
evidence can be seen, and then indicate, for example, that the
evidence is at the scene by checking a checkbox.
[0090] Alternatively, if the response indicates a different
structure type, the list of indicators presented may be different.
For example, if the response indicates the victim is in a
building/structure, the dispatcher may be presented 606a-606h with
a list of chemical suicide indicators including similar indicators
such as "Notices or printed warning signs in, on, or around the
confined space," "Visible fumes coming out," "Household cleaning
products," "Buckets, cooler, or containers," "Goggles on occupant,"
"Gloves on occupant," and "Unusual odor/bad taste," as well as
different indicators including "Door cracks or opening sealed with
tape clothing, towels or other materials." The dispatcher can query
the caller to see if any of the evidence can be seen, and then
indicate, for example, that the evidence is at the scene by
checking a checkbox.
[0091] The dispatcher may be presented 608 with a preprogrammed
inquiry, "Is the caller or any bystander reporting any symptoms?"
If the response indicates that a bystander/caller has symptoms, the
chemical suicide protocol may present 608a-608d possible symptoms,
such as "dizziness," "Lightheadedness," "Abnormal breathing," and
"Burning/Irritated eyes." The dispatcher can query the caller to
see if any of the symptoms are present, and then indicate, for
example, that the symptoms are present by checking a checkbox.
[0092] If the dispatcher enters input that the caller/bystander is
not experiencing symptoms, or after the protocol receives the
symptoms, the protocol may make a determination 610 of the
likelihood that there has been a chemical suicide. As described
above, the determination 610 whether the victim has committed
chemical suicide may be based on one or more tallies of indicators
in one or more categories or ranges of severity. The determination
may be displayed to the dispatcher and/or communicated to the
emergency dispatch protocol and/or emergency responders. It will be
also understood that the determination step may occur after each
step or dispatcher-entered input. Thereby, updating the
determination in real time.
[0093] While specific embodiments and applications of the
disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is to be
understood that the disclosure is not limited to the precise
configuration and components disclosed herein. Various
modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those of skill
in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details
of the methods and systems of the disclosure without departing from
the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *