“Ambulance, what is your emergency?”

“We had a resident have an unwitnessed fall this morning.”

“Okay, where do you need the ambulance?”

“625 Blue Lake.”

“Is that Blue Lake Long-Term Care?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Is there a room number or a wing or a floor that we’re going to?”

“Room 209.”

“Okay and what’s the nearest major intersection?”

“Brandon Ave. and Main Street.”

“And what phone number with area code are you calling from?”

“639-217-6534.”

“Is there any extension?”

“No there’s not, that’s a direct line.”

“Okay, are you a staff member?”

“Yes, I’m the nurse on staff.”

“Okay, is the person awake?”

“Yes, she is.”

“Is she breathing normally?”

“Yup.”

“How old is she?”

“She’s 79.”

“Okay and tell me exactly what happened.”

“We found her on the floor this morning at 6:35 on morning rounds. She’s complaining of pain in her left hip and we noticed that she had a small scratch on her forehead.”

“Is she drowsy or confused as a result of the fall?”

“No, she’s not. Her GCS is 14.”

“And did she fall more than 2 metres or 6 feet?”

“She fell from standing height.”

“And did she injure her head or her neck?”

“We noticed that she has a small abrasion on her forehead and when we found her, she was lying really close to the dresser.”

“Okay, we’ve got the ambulance on the way. Just approach the scene only if it’s safe to do so. If it is safe, do not move her unless she is in any immediate danger, only move her if it’s safe for you and her. It is important to keep her movements to a minimum. If you notice that she’s bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound unless there’s any embedded object using a clean cloth or a towel and hold it there until the paramedics arrive. If you can gather up her medications, including any empty bottles and give them to the paramedics when they arrive. If it’s safe to do so, make her comfortable and please call back if her condition changes or if you have more information.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Thank you.”

Note: Created with support from the Hamilton Central Ambulance Communications Centre. This dispatch script may not be used outside of this OER. Questions may not be exact or may change without notice.