Dispatch Call Data Entry: Delays Tab

Delay Categories

Dispatch Delays (eResponse.08)

Any delay between the time of PSAP call until the unit is notified by dispatch.

Time Period: From PSAP Call (eTimes.01) to Unit Notified by Dispatch (eTimes.03)

Multiple delay types can be selected.

Purpose: Documents delays related to call processing and unit assignment. Examples include high call volume, technical failures, or difficulty obtaining address information. Helps identify dispatch center performance and training needs.

Options:

• Caller (Uncooperative)
• Communication Specialist-Assignment Error
• Diversion/Failure (of previous unit)
• High Call Volume
• Incomplete Address Information Provided
• Language Barrier
• No EMS Vehicles (Units) Available
• No Receiving MD, Bed, Hospital
• None/No Delay
• Other
• Specialty Team Delay
• Technical Failure (Computer, Phone, etc.)

Response Delays (eResponse.09)

The response delay, if any, of the unit from notification until arrival on scene.

Time Period: From Unit Notified by Dispatch (eTimes.03) to Unit Arrived on Scene (eTimes.06)

Multiple delay types can be selected.

Purpose: Documents delays related to unit travel from station/current location to scene. Examples include traffic, weather, or inability to locate address. Helps identify geographic coverage gaps and response challenges.

Options:

• Crowd
• Directions/Unable to Locate
• Distance
• Diversion (Different Incident)
• Flight Planning
• HazMat
• Mechanical Issue-Unit, Equipment, etc.
• None/No Delay
• Other
• Rendezvous Transport Unavailable
• Route Obstruction (e.g., Train)
• Scene Safety (Not Secure for EMS)
• Staff Delay
• Traffic
• Vehicle Crash Involving this Unit
• Vehicle Failure of this Unit
• Weather

Scene Delays (eResponse.10)

Any delay between Unit Arrived on Scene until Unit Left the Scene.

Time Period: From Unit Arrived on Scene (eTimes.06) to Unit Left Scene (eTimes.09)

Multiple delay types can be selected.

Purpose: Documents delays related to on-scene operations before departing with patient. Examples include extrication, multiple patients, or waiting for additional resources. Helps identify scene management and resource coordination issues.

Options:

• Awaiting Air Unit
• Awaiting Ground Unit
• Crowd
• Directions/Unable to Locate
• Distance
• Extrication
• Haz-Mat
• Language Barrier
• Mechanical Issue-Unit, Equipment, etc.
• None/No Delay
• Other
• Patient Access
• Safety-Crew/Staging
• Safety-Patient
• Staff Delay
• Traffic
• Triage/Multiple Patients
• Vehicle Crash Involving this Unit
• Vehicle Failure of this Unit
• Weather

Transport Delays (eResponse.11)

Any delay between Unit Left Scene until Patient Arrived at Destination.

Time Period: From Unit Left Scene (eTimes.09) to Patient Arrived at Destination (eTimes.11)

Multiple delay types can be selected.

Purpose: Documents delays related to travel from scene to destination. Examples include traffic, diversion, or patient condition changes requiring stops. Helps identify transport routing and coordination issues.

Options:

• Crowd
• Directions/Unable to Locate
• Distance
• Diversion
• HazMat
• None/No Delay
• Other
• Patient Condition Change (e.g., Unit Stopped)
• Rendezvous Transport Unavailable
• Route Obstruction (e.g., Train)
• Safety
• Staff Delay
• Traffic
• Vehicle Crash Involving this Unit
• Vehicle Failure of this Unit
• Weather

Turn-Around Delays (eResponse.12)

With patient transport: Any delay between Patient Arrived At Destination until Unit Back In Service or Back At Home Location.

Without patient transport: Any delay between Unit Arrived On Scene until Unit Back In Service or Back At Home Location.

Time Period (with patient): From Patient Arrived at Destination (eTimes.11) to Unit Back in Service (eTimes.13) or Back at Home Location (eTimes.15)

Time Period (without patient): From Unit Arrived on Scene (eTimes.06) to Unit Back in Service (eTimes.13) or Back at Home Location (eTimes.15)

Multiple delay types can be selected.

Purpose: Documents delays related to time at destination and return to service. Examples include ED overcrowding, equipment restocking, or crew accompanying patient for procedures. Helps identify hospital coordination and unit availability issues. Note that the time period differs depending on whether a patient was transported.

Options:

• Clean-up
• Decontamination
• Distance
• Documentation
• ED Overcrowding / Transfer
• EMS Crew Accompanies Patient for Facility Procedure
• Equipment Failure
• Equipment/Supply Replenishment
• None/No Delay
• Other
• Rendezvous Transport Unavailable
• Route Obstruction (e.g., Train)
• Staff Delay
• Traffic
• Vehicle Crash of this Unit
• Vehicle Failure of this Unit
• Weather

Usage Notes

Documenting Delays:

• Select "None/No Delay" if no delays occurred in that category
• Multiple delay types can be selected for each category if applicable
• Document all significant delays to provide accurate response time data
• Each delay category corresponds to a specific phase of the emergency response
• Time periods are defined by specific time stamps in the Times section

Quality Improvement:

• Delay data is valuable for system performance analysis
• Identifies patterns and trends requiring operational changes
• Supports resource allocation and strategic planning decisions
• Documents external factors affecting response times (weather, traffic, etc.)