Dispatch Portal Page

The Create Call Group is where data entry of a new call begins.

The Profile Drop-Down Field provides for either emergency or scheduled call types. These types correspond to the same profiles in the PCR Module.

The Remember Checkbox allows the user to keep the current profile until it is changed or the program is closed; use this when expecting additional runs.

The Create Button below New Patient creates as patient account (as the call is intended to the billed in the Billing Module). A Lookup must be conducted before this option is active.

The Create Button below No Patient begins a call that is not intended to be billed in the Billing Module. A Lookup is not essential.

Note: If the call does need to be billed, additional functionality can change this.

Creating a New Call

All Calls/Incidents are entered as Emergency or Scheduled Profile in the Dispatch Portal.

Data entry of a new call follows the steps below.

If the user questions whether to use Emergency or Scheduled, please review the sections following this chapter before entering a new call.

1. Select a Profile.

1. Search for a patient account by typing in the last name or enter the run as a No Patient Name account. 

    

   1. Type a name in the Search Criteria Field under Existing Patient to do a Lookup for an existing patient account. As the name, address, or SSN is typed, a list appears beneath this field.

   2. If the patient account exists for this patient, select that appropriate account.

       

   3. If a new patient account must be created because there are no results, click the Create Button under New Patient.

      Hint: If a run is not to be billed in AIM Billing, skip the search and click the Create Button under No Patient.

The Scheduled Alerts Group provides for review of scheduled calls.

From this screen, user(s) can select a call, review the data, and click Save to place a call in the Dispatch Call Queue.

If no calls appear, enter a date range in the From and To Fields to populate the grid with Future Calls. Click Refresh to display Future Calls within that range.

Hint: Avoid Hitting Enter; instead, always click the Refresh Button.

The grid can list data by Patient Name, but defaults to Picked Up Date/Time.

Columns include: Patient Name, Pick Up Date, Appointment Time, Return Picked Up Date/Time, Pick Up Location, Is Return Trip, and Action.

Keep in mind that the Return Picked Up Date/Time is reference only, and a return trip can only be created from the scheduled call. (The return trip does not exist as a future call.)

The Action Icons at the end of each Future Call provide the following functionality options: Edit Schedule Information, Delete Schedule, and Schedule. These control how calls are moved from Awaiting Scheduling to the Dispatch Call Queue.

Edit Schedule Information opens the schedule information for updating. Be sure to save changes.

Delete Schedule removes the scheduled call from Awaiting Scheduling, based on the specific Incident Number.

Schedule creates a new call and populates data from the first call. Edit is enabled, and data entry is as normal with a scheduled call.

Search allows the user to find a specific incident or call. Advanced Search has additional search options.

For additional Search functionality, click the Advanced Search Link. Using the Advanced Search, the user can search with operators, ascending/descending order, and/or two fields. Click Search after entering data.

Find fields are searchable: Date of Birth, Date of Service, First Name, Incident Number, Last Name, Patient Address 1, Patient Care Number, Picked Up Location Address 1, Response Number, Social Security Number and Taken To Location Address 1.

By fields allow the user to select an operator from this list:

= (equals)

> (greater than)

< (less than)

>= (greater and equal)

<= (less and equal)

<> (does not equal)

Criteria field specifies what the search should look for.

And Checkbox gives users another line of search fields to help focus the search.

Order By Drop-Down Field lets the user specify how the results should be ordered.

The Dispatch Call Queue is where calls and available units are handled (assigning, completing calls, entering data (times, delays, etc.), actions on calls, and other functionality).

Shift Assignments provides functionality to assign crew members to specific vehicles, creating a unit. These vehicles are available in the Dispatch Call Queue.

The Shift Assignments Area is where users can assign crew members to vehicles. It is expected that the vehicles and crews are already entered in the appropriate setup areas. Users can access Shift Assignments from General Setup as well as within the Dispatch and ePCR Modules.

What is a Shift?

A shift is the time frame when units are available. It is expected that all available vehicle are assigned for data entry purposes in the ePCR Module during a shift. Shift assignments of crew and vehicle(s) are ongoing activities.

Note:  Because assignments constantly change, Shift Assignments is an ongoing activity. 

Calendar provides access to the Dispatch Calendar.