Abstract
The implementation of GMS (Integrated Emergency room System) in the Netherlands has had a tumultuous record. A direct consequence of the governmental decision to hand over the empty basic system to the emergency rooms is that a large deviation in local systems emerged. A case study in one of these emergency rooms explains the consequences of this action and theorises the local construction of these ICT environments. The theoretical perspective that is found most relevant is the emergent perspective. Next to information system development the process of interdisciplinary collaboration started in the emergency room. For the first time all three emergency services (the police, medical services, and the fire department) took place together in de emergency room. In this article the influence of the ICT system on the interdisciplinary collaboration is explicated.
TopBackground
The developments in the starting phase of the GMS system can be depicted according to two different perspectives. The initial infighting perspective regards technology as an instrument for the restructuring of social relations. It is based on the emphasis of actor contribution in the design and implementation process. Actor interests are represented in the policy development phase when the important choices for implementation are made. When sensitivity to external stakeholders is paramount, as is the case in many policy domains including policing in the Netherlands, concessions to stakeholders in the initial phase are an important part of decision making. In this view that is comparable to a systems implementation when design is stabilized it should be implemented according to plan. The responsibility of policy makers and senior management at the lower levels is to consider the best appropriate techniques for implementation.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Geintegreerd Meldkamer Systeem (GMS): Integrated Emergency Room System Emergency response software system designed to facilitate and structure the input and output of all information needed for handling emergency calls and dispatch units to the scene.
Nieuw Meldkamer Systeem (NMS): New Emergency Room System: The new emergency room ICT system designed to replace the older GMS system. This system is still being developed.
RAVIS: A data system designed for the medical department to aggregate all information gathered by medical responses.
City-GIS: The geographic location system used by the operators. It shows all available units and their location in the region. In addition it follows and shows the units most recent whereabouts and their current status.
OMS: Automated fire alarm system used by the fire department that reacts on automatic fire alarms in buildings connected to the system.
DUB Button: Button in GMS that flashes when an incident shows significant similarity to another previous entered incident.
Bedrijfs Processen Systeem (BPS): A data system designed for the police departments to aggregate all information gathered in policing. Accessible to all police employees.
C-2000: The new digital communications network in the Netherlands designed for al the emergency services.