Responder network

Abstract

A variety of methods, medical devices, responder network servers, emergency services interfaces and call center related processes are described that can help improve responder networks designed to get a medical device such as an automated external defibrillator and/or volunteer responders to the scene of a potential medical incident.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer aided dispatch unit having graphical user interface widget suitable for selection by a call center operator, wherein selection of the graphical user interface widget causes the computer aided dispatch unit to transmit a request for automated external defibrillator assistance, the request for automated external defibrillator assistance including an indication of a location of a potential cardiac arrest incident for which assistance is desired, wherein the request for automated external defibrillator assistance is a general request that does not identify any specific responder or defibrillator to be notified of the potential cardiac arrest incident, wherein the request for automated external defibrillator assistance is sent to a responder network that identifies at least one of (a) a set of defibrillators, and (b) a set of volunteer responders, to notify of the potential cardiac arrest incident. 
     
     
         2 . A computer aided dispatch unit as recited in  claim 1  wherein the graphical user interface widget includes an Activate AED Network GUI button, and selection of the Activate AED Network GUI button causes the computer aided dispatch unit to transmit the request for automated external defibrillator assistance. 
     
     
         3 . A computer aided dispatch unit as recited in  claim 2  wherein the Activate AED Network GUI button is displayed on an incident report screen. 
     
     
         4 . A computer aided dispatch unit as recited in  claim 1  wherein the graphical user interface widget is accessed via a pull down menu. 
     
     
         5 . A computer aided dispatch unit as recited in  claim 1  wherein the request for automated external defibrillator assistance includes a location of the incident. 
     
     
         6 . A computer aided dispatch unit as recited in  claim 1  wherein the request for automated external defibrillator assistance further includes operator notes entered by the call center operator. 
     
     
         7 . A computer aided dispatch unit as recited in  claim 1  wherein the wherein the computer aided dispatch unit does not have information indicative of placement of any of the defibrillators in the set of defibrillators.