What should an EMD do if a caller's information seems unreliable?

When a caller’s information appears unreliable, the appropriate course of action is to verify as much information as possible while continuing to assist. This is crucial in emergency medical dispatch because the quality of information received can significantly affect patient outcomes.

By engaging with the caller, the Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) can clarify details, ask pertinent questions, and gather additional context that may lead to more accurate understanding of the situation. It is essential for the EMD to remain calm and supportive, which can help the caller provide more coherent information. This approach ensures that the EMD can still provide vital instructions and dispatch the necessary emergency services based on the best available information. Verifying facts while offering assistance also helps to build rapport with the caller, making it more likely that they will provide useful information.

In the context of emergency responses, waiting for others, asking the caller to hang up and call back, or sending emergency services without further questioning could lead to delays in care or incorrect responses to the situation. Therefore, the method of verification while assisting is the most responsible and effective strategy for handling untrustworthy information.