American Medical Response St. Louis Earns Prestigious Accreditation
11.21.2023
The communications center in Missouri is now an accredited center of excellence.
American Medical Response (AMR) officials announced on Monday the AMR St. Louis Regional Communications Center has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAEDTM) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching. The AMR St. Louis Regional Communications Center is the 325th medical ACE in the world. This accreditation is awarded to only those centers demonstrating superior performance in training, quality assurance and improvement processes, and very high compliance using the Medical Priority Dispatch System.
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement,” said Christof Chwojka, accreditation board chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated calltakers, dispatchers and leadership team at AMR St. Louis Regional Communications for their commitment to quality, and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first, first responders to do an outstanding job.”
ACE inspires agencies to provide superior, industry best practices in public safety and to employ efficient use of resources when handling all emergency call situations. IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers who earn ACE status are the embodiment of dispatch done right, and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.
IAED will present AMR St. Louis Regional Communications with an Accreditation plaque that commemorates their achievement. IAED Accreditation is the culmination of a lengthy, arduous process that includes the completion of the 20 Points of Accreditation, a detailed evaluation of performance by industry experts, and a final review and ruling by IAED.
“To achieve accreditation requires participation and hard work from executive leadership down to the individual emergency dispatcher. I am exceptionally proud of our dispatchers; they are the true rockstars in obtaining this achievement” said Brandi Henson, regional director of communications, GMR. “Our callers and patients can have peace of mind knowing their needs will be appropriately addressed and that they will receive the help they need.”
AMR’s St. Louis Regional Communications Center is the first emergency medical dispatch center in the St. Louis Metropolitan area to receive this distinction. Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards are routinely reviewed, ensuring they are upheld. The protocol-based system—known as the Priority Dispatch SystemTM—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch and is used in 46 countries.
"This process is undertaken by communications centers who desire to be the best of the best." explains Kim Rigden, associate director of accreditation, IAED. "Achieving ACE confirms it. AMR St. Louis Regional Communications Center should be very proud of this achievement and the wonderful service they provide to the community and their emergency responders."
“Accreditation is truly a pinnacle achievement,” said Christof Chwojka, accreditation board chair at IAED. “We applaud the dedicated calltakers, dispatchers and leadership team at AMR St. Louis Regional Communications for their commitment to quality, and for meeting that high standard that few achieve. We know their community can count on these first, first responders to do an outstanding job.”
ACE inspires agencies to provide superior, industry best practices in public safety and to employ efficient use of resources when handling all emergency call situations. IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent re-accreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that the center is performing at or above the established standards for the industry. Centers who earn ACE status are the embodiment of dispatch done right, and have demonstrated strong local oversight, rigorous quality processes, and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.
IAED will present AMR St. Louis Regional Communications with an Accreditation plaque that commemorates their achievement. IAED Accreditation is the culmination of a lengthy, arduous process that includes the completion of the 20 Points of Accreditation, a detailed evaluation of performance by industry experts, and a final review and ruling by IAED.
“To achieve accreditation requires participation and hard work from executive leadership down to the individual emergency dispatcher. I am exceptionally proud of our dispatchers; they are the true rockstars in obtaining this achievement” said Brandi Henson, regional director of communications, GMR. “Our callers and patients can have peace of mind knowing their needs will be appropriately addressed and that they will receive the help they need.”
AMR’s St. Louis Regional Communications Center is the first emergency medical dispatch center in the St. Louis Metropolitan area to receive this distinction. Accreditation is valid for a three-year period, during which all standards are routinely reviewed, ensuring they are upheld. The protocol-based system—known as the Priority Dispatch SystemTM—is recognized as the standard of care and practice for emergency dispatch and is used in 46 countries.
"This process is undertaken by communications centers who desire to be the best of the best." explains Kim Rigden, associate director of accreditation, IAED. "Achieving ACE confirms it. AMR St. Louis Regional Communications Center should be very proud of this achievement and the wonderful service they provide to the community and their emergency responders."
