Planning for regional medical control communications

The passage of the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act of 1973 by Congress provided the mechanism and funds for communities to develop regional emergency medical service (EMS) delivery systems across the nation. The communications system which was to support the regional EMS system was quickly recognized as a vital link in assuring delivery of emergency medical care under the immediate control and direction of a physician at an appropriate medical facility. Failure by communications system designers to understand the complexities of system development in the environment of a totally new concept has resulted in deleterious effects in a number of regional EMS system development programs. Planning strategies and problem-solving approaches in the implementation of the regional medical control communications subsystem are discussed.