Standby Calls

All UK emergency departments have a red phone, used by the ambulance service to pre-alert the ED of the arrival of patients with serious injury or illness. These are sometimes referred to as blue calls or red calls. Usually pre-alerts are passed indirectly, first from the ambulance to the EOC and then on to the receiving hospital. This ensures the transfer of information is concise as there is not the facility for a conversation between treating and receiving teams. It also leaves the crew free to continue managing the patient en route. However, there is a risk of incorrect information being transmitted due to the intermediary.

If there is a senior paramedic or other clinician accompanying the patient, they may opt to pass the pre-alert directly through to the ED red phone, particularly if there are any special requirements that they feel should be in place on arrival.

If you are in hospital and taking the pre-alert call, you should:

• Inform the duty consultant
• Inform the nurse-in-charge and the senior nurse in the resuscitation area
• Assemble any equipment or resources required prior to patient arrival
• Alert any other clinical teams, such as anaesthetics, blood bank, or surgical teams, or activate your local trauma team or major haemorrhage protocol if required