IMPORTANT CHANGES IN PPDS® v6.4.68 (4/20/2021)

Hello!

We're excited to announce the highly-anticipated Police Priority Dispatch SystemTM v6.4.68 (4/20/2021) as part of this ProQA® v5.1.1.40 release.

The Police Priority Dispatch System v6.4 is a landmark release providing communication centers and their law enforcement agencies the flexibility to customize alternative responses rather than a traditional field dispatch response. This is accomplished using OMEGA-eligible codes that can be enabled by the agency.

  • The IAED® has created a protocol for these OMEGA response incidents where agencies choose which qualifying questions will be asked.
  • For incidents where it's appropriate to refer calls to an outside department or organization or to route calls to online reporting systems or telephone reporting units, PPDS v6.4 provides a workflow, caller instructions, and question sequencing that bring consistency to calls which previously fell through the cracks of structured calltaking.
  • Agencies will also benefit by having the OMEGA call handling process completed in ProQA for purposes of statistical reports and case review.

See the highlights of other discipline protocol changes in the video below as well as farther down in this email.


Check out this ProQA v5.1.1.40 Release Video for an overview of key updates in the release.
ACCESS THE RELEASE
Use one of the links below to access the software download, release letter, and PPDS® v6.4 Update Guide that will walk you through the changes. Also be sure to view the PPDS v6.4 Update Tutorial on the College for 30 minutes of CDE (after May 17).
Already have access? Just click below and be sure to bookmark the site! After 90 days the site will prompt you to request again. We'll continually update the site with each software release.*
Need access? Click below to request access to the Priority Dispatch Software Access SharePoint. You'll be given access for 90 days and won't need to request again during that time!*
*The Priority Dispatch Software Access SharePoint will contain any and all releases that come out within your 90 day access period.
CRITICAL: AQUA® v7.1.0.5 or lower cannot currently support imports for PPDS v6.4. If your agency will be moving to PPDS v6.4, please contact Software Support to assist you in making necessary adjustments. The next AQUA release (estimated June 6, 2021) will include the ability to import PPDS v6.4 automatically.
For help updating your software, please contact Software Support at 866-777-3911 or email software.support@prioritydispatch.net.
Introducing PPDS v6.4.68 (4/20/2021)

MULTIPLE PROTOCOLS
  • Several Determinant Codes have been designated as OMEGA-eligible on specific Chief Complaint Protocols which can be enabled by the agency.
  • New O = Online reporting, T = Telephone reporting, and R = Referral suffixes have been added to the OMEGA-eligible Determinant Codes. All Referral and Information Determinant Codes have been removed throughout the PPDS.
  • A singular W = Weapon suffix has been added to replace the individual CEGKMO suffixes.
  • The color of all Jurisdictionally Approved Questions (JAQs) was changed to purple to provide better visibility for this question type. 

PROTOCOL 119: Harassment/Stalking/Threat
  • New Determinant Codes, Key Question sequences, and Post-Dispatch Instructions for Protocol 119: Harassment/Stalking/Threat have been added to support “just occurred” incidents and to better address phone threats/harassment and social media threats/harassment. 
PPDS v6.4 UPDATE TUTORIAL CDE
Be sure to log into the College after May 17 and take the PPDS v6.4 Update Tutorial CDE. You'll become an expert on PPDS v6.4 and earn 30 minutes of CDE credit as well!
New in PPDS v6.3.24 (4/7/2021)
MULTIPLE PROTOCOLS
  • The color of all Jurisdictionally Approved Questions (JAQs) was changed to purple to provide better visibility for this question type. 

PROTOCOL 125: Public Service (Lock-out/Lock-in, Peace, Welfare, Reckless Activity)
  • The weapons Key Questions and associated suffixes were removed from all check-the-welfare incidents and Determinant Codes. 

PROTOCOL 132: Traffic Violation/Complaint/Hazard
  • New Key Question answer choices with comment boxes allowing for additional information entry were added to the KQs that determine if the vehicle/hazard is blocking/slowing the flow of traffic. 
New in MPDS® v13.3.200 (4/7/2021)
PROTOCOL 2: Allergies (Reactions)/Envenomations (Stings, Bites)
  • If the patient is alert and breathing and swallowing normally with an EpiPen on scene, the caller won't be directed to use a non-prescribed medication.

PROTOCOL 11: Choking
  • Several changes were made to facilitate more efficient call processing for choking patients who are not breathing or with INEFFECTIVE/UNCERTAIN breathing. 

PROTOCOL 24: Pregnancy/Childbirth/Miscarriage
  • In Key Question 1 the MISCARRIAGE definition and SIGNS OF LIFE Warning were updated to ensure correct selection of the appropriate STILLBIRTH or MISCARRIAGE option.

PROTOCOL 25: Psychiatric/Abnormal Behavior/Suicide Attempt
  • Key Question “Does s/he have difficulty breathing?” is now asked regardless of the alert status.
New in FPDS® v7.1.109 (4/7/2021)
PROTOCOL 59: Fuel Spill/Fuel Odor
  • Key Questioning sequence was adjusted to better process spills into a sewer or drain. 

PROTOCOL 61: HAZMAT
  • In Key Questioning sequence for illegal drug labs and chemical suicides, questions were eliminated that the caller is typically unable to answer or could put the caller in danger. 

PROTOCOL 77: Motor Vehicle Collision
  • If a suffix qualifies after the initial send of 77-E-1, ProQA now adds the appropriate suffix to the ECHO code, ensuring correct resources are sent and safety issues are addressed. 

We so appreciate your dedication to providing the highest level of service to your communities. You are certainly making a difference and we're proud to partner with you to continually improve emergency dispatch around the globe.

Sincerely,

Priority Dispatch & the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
For help updating your software, please contact Software Support at 866-777-3911 or email software.support@prioritydispatch.net.