ProQA Around The World

Name: Muhammad Azeem

Occupation: Emergency Medical Dispatch Quality Assurance Specialist (EMD-Q^® )

Years Of Dispatch/Emergency Service Experience: 7

Agency Name: Sindh Integrated Emergency & Health Services

Location/Country: Pakistan

Service Area (square miles/kilometers): 54,407 square miles

1. How long have you been working with the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System and ProQA?

I have been working with the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System^™ (AMPDS^™) and ProQAQ^® for the past four years. Initially, our team operated using a manual cardset. In 2021, we introduced ProQA, which significantly enhanced our Emergency Medical Dispatch service by improving response times and ensuring greater consistency in patient care.

2. What do you like most about ProQA?

ProQA is a structured and evidence-based approach to Emergency Medical Dispatch. The system’s use of standardized protocols ensures that Emergency Dispatchers provide accurate and timely instructions, which are crucial for delivering appropriate care based on the urgency of each medical situation. Moreover, ProQA's advanced logic system and data collection capabilities greatly enhance decision-making, contributing to a more efficient and effective emergency response process.

3. Can you think of a specific example when ProQA helped you? Tell us about an experience, a memory, or an anecdote.

I recall a particular night shift where I received a call from a 22-year-old whose father had fallen unconscious. The caller was distraught and uncertain about whether his father was breathing, though he could still feel a pulse. Amid the confusion and background noise, I used the Breathing Verification Diagnostic Tool within ProQA to confirm that the patient was not breathing. I then guided the caller through CPR instructions using the system's PAI Panels on Protocol C. After performing CPR for several minutes, the patient regained breathing. An ambulance arrived within 14 minutes, and the patient was transported to the hospital safely. This incident exemplifies how ProQA’s structured guidance can make a critical difference in life-threatening situations.

4. What do nonusers need to know about the AMPDS and/or ProQA?

Nonusers should know that AMPDS and ProQA are essential tools for managing and prioritizing emergency medical calls. These systems enable Emergency Dispatchers to quickly assess situations and determine the appropriate level of response based on the severity of the medical condition. By enhancing the efficiency of emergency services and improving the quality of care, AMPDS and ProQA contribute to better patient outcomes and more effective emergency response.

5. Do you have any recommendations for other users?

I recommend that users stay current with the latest protocol updates and participate in ongoing training to fully utilize all ProQA features. Regularly reviewing call outcomes is also important to identify areas for improvement and ensure the system is being used to its fullest potential. This approach will further enhance the quality of Emergency Medical Dispatch services.