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Abstract
Objective. We conducted a statewide survey of communication centers regarding practices, training, andoutreach for stroke andmyocardial infarction (MI) andexplored differences for those that were Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certified or not. Methods. A survey was mailed to all 115 centers that dispatched for emergency medical services (EMS) in North Carolina. Seventy-four percent (85/115) returned the survey. Results. For 31% of centers, all telecommunicators were EMD-certified, 28% of centers had some personnel certified, and41% had no personnel certified. Forty-four percent of centers used dispatch guides or algorithms to aid telecommunicators. If telecommunicators suspected a stroke, 47% of the centers provided prearrival instructions andif they suspected an MI, 49% provided prearrival instructions. In the past 2 years, 27% of the telecommunicators received stroke-specific training and29% received MI-specific training. Stroke or MI training for telecommunicators was more common among the EMD centers (51% stroke; 51% MI) than among the non-EMD centers (5% stroke; 9% MI). Only one center conducted a community outreach program about stroke or MI in the last 6 months. Conclusions. Our results suggest that the development of statewide telecommunication training program to improve knowledge andcare for suspected stroke or MI is needed in North Carolina. Dispatching for stroke andMI could be enhanced by requiring all communication centers to be EMD-certified andby creating consistent andstandard dispatching practices across the state, using triage algorithms. Implementing these changes could improve rapid response andcare for acute stroke andMI patients.