Emergency Medical Dispatch Codes (EMD Codes) are part of the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS). These codes follow a number-letter-number format to describe the nature of an incident, helping to categorize the severity of a patient’s condition and prioritize calls for emergency services.
EMD Codes, designed to enhance the efficiency of emergency response, provide a standardized protocol for triaging patients over the phone. Based on specific questions the dispatcher asks the caller about the patient’s condition, this system ensures accurate assessment and faster response times.
When a Patient Care Report (PCR) includes the EMD Code associated with the EMS call, it simplifies the billing process and improves reimbursement timeframes. Including this data in a PCR helps to illustrate the medical necessity for ambulance transport.
Categories of EMD Codes (Emergency Medical Dispatch Codes)
The first component of an EMD Code is a number that indicates the type of complaint or protocol. For instance, 1 represents Abdominal Pain, 2 represents Allergies/Envenomations, and 3 represents Animal Bites/Attacks. There are currently 37 protocols in total.
The second component, a letter ranging from A to E, indicates the seriousness of the patient’s condition:
- A (Alpha Response) refers to a low-priority situation.
- B (Bravo Response) indicates a mid-priority condition.
- C (Charlie Response) represents a potentially life-threatening condition.
- D (Delta Response) indicates a life-threatening emergency.
- E (Echo Response) refers to full cardiac arrest or imminent death.
The system also includes an Omega Response, the lowest priority, which may involve referral to another service or a non-emergency situation.
Generally, Alpha, Bravo, and Omega responses require Basic Life Support (BLS), while Charlie and Delta typically necessitate Advanced Life Support (ALS). Echo responses demand ALS, specialized units with multiple resources, and potentially additional first responders.
The third component of the EMD Code is a number that provides further details about the patient’s specific condition. View a list of examples of EMD Codes here.
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