Characterization of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Cases: Association Between Specific Dispatcher-Assigned Dispatch Determinant Codes and Hospital-Confirmed STEMI Cases in Qatar

Qatar's STEMI patients are more likely to be male and to receive adequate acute care irrespective of any demographic factor and despite potential language issues. This study highlights that the chief complaint may be described or interpreted differently when the questioning language is not their mother tongue, or when there is a language barrier between the caller, call taker, or when using the MPDS^® protocols language or when self-translating questions instantly in another language. Therefore, EMDs should be made aware of the language differences and be encouraged to further clarify the chief complaint when appropriate. There may be a need for potential refinements of the MPDS^® questioning algorithm and EMD training with AMI symptoms reinforcement. This could help improve their early identification of STEMI cases with non-classic chest pain symptoms.