OHSU

Emergency Communication Center

Emergency Communication Center office scene with 3 dispatchers.

LINKING OHSU, THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, AND THE PEOPLE OF THE NORTHWEST

From Emergency Transports to Physician Consults - We Create Solutions

The Emergency Communication Center located in Portland, OR fulfills many roles within OHSU, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Emergency Medical Services, and the Northwest region. Our work environment is demanding and dynamic requiring quick transitions from one action to another.  We operate as

  • patient transfer specialists
  • physician consult coordinators
  • ambulance/trauma report takers
  • pediatric team dispatchers
  • paging operators
  • medical scribes

Experience Matters

Emergency Communication Center dispatcher using radio,phones, and computers.

Managing disasters is not for beginners.  9 of our 14 team members have been in the career for over 7 years.  We can answer a radio, land a helicopter on the helipad, and work the phones simultaneously.  Whether we are directing ambulances during a crisis, arranging transports for critically ill children, or linking paramedics to trauma centers, we are ready to handle any situation.

Send and Receive

Our communication systems are extensive, reliable, and secure.  We monitor, record, and save every consult, transfer, trauma entry, phone call, and radio report.   Our data is used to analyze trends statewide.

  • Our radio network covers the region for short and long range transmissions.
  • Our landline, wireless, and satellite telephones provide coverage during natural and man-made disasters. 
  • Our database is backed-up, restricted, and firewall protected.

Information Headquarters for the OHSU Emergency Department

Everything comes through us.  From telephone calls, to ambulance reports, to page requests – we get it all.  No question goes unanswered, no delays are allowed.  We understand the urgent needs of our Emergency Department.

Our History at OHSU

Emergency Communication Center office scene with 2 dispatchers on radio.

The Emergency Communication Center was created in 1977 to assist the OHSU Emergency Department.  Now we operate within and outside the boundaries of OHSU providing a diverse range of services for our community and our state.


EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER

503 494-7551

LOCATION

OHSU Emergency Communication Center
OHSU Mail Code UHS40
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd
Portland, OR  97239

QUICK STATS IN 2012

Estimated number of phone calls - 55,000/month

Estimated number of page requests - 145,000/month

Estimated number of ED ambulance reports - 700/month

QUICK STATS IN 2012: 

Inter-hospital patient transfers - 8613

Inter-hospital trauma transfers - 1160

Trauma scene call system entries - 2932