The MeSH heading "Call Center" is due for an update: why we recommend the more precise heading "Emergency Medical Communication Center"

Astrid K V Harring; Jesper Blinkenberg; Guttorm Brattebø; Magnus Hjortdahl; Siri Idland; Emil Iversen; Ann-Chatrin L Leonardsen; Erik Zakariassen; Trine M Jørgensen

doi:10.1186/s13049-023-01155-0

The MeSH heading "Call Center" is due for an update: why we recommend the more precise heading "Emergency Medical Communication Center"

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2023 Dec 4;31(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s13049-023-01155-0.

Authors

Astrid K V Harring¹, Jesper Blinkenberg², Guttorm Brattebø^{3

4

5}, Magnus Hjortdahl^{6

7}, Siri Idland⁶, Emil Iversen^{3

4}, Ann-Chatrin L Leonardsen⁸, Erik Zakariassen^{2

9}, Trine M Jørgensen⁶

Affiliations

¹ Oslo Metropolitan University, PB 4, St. Olavs plass, Oslo, 0130, Norway. astridka@oslomet.no.
² National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway.
³ Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
⁴ Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Emergency Medical Communication (KoKom), Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
⁵ Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
⁶ Oslo Metropolitan University, PB 4, St. Olavs plass, Oslo, 0130, Norway.
⁷ Division of Prehospital Services, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
⁸ Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Østfold Hospital Trust, Østfold, Norway.
⁹ Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Abstract

Call centers can be found in various industries. However as a Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) the term "Call centers" does not reflect the critical purpose of handling emergency calls. We recommend "emergency medical communication center(s)", as this provides clarity and precision regarding the primary function and purpose of the center.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Emergency medical services; Out of hospital Cardiac Arrest; Paramedicine.

Publication types

Letter

MeSH terms

Call Centers*
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation*
Communication
Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems
Emergency Medical Services*
Humans
Medical Subject Headings
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest*