THE UNIT WAS INSTALLED IN THE ODESSA MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL IN ODESSA, TEXAS, AS PART OF A NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) EFFORT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO THE PERMIAN BASIN REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION. THE HOSPITAL IS ONE OF SEVERAL MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE PERMIAN BASIN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEM (EMS) IN WESTERN TEXAS AND IS THE EMS REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTROL CENTER FOR THE 17-COUNTY SYSTEM. PLANNING COMPONENTS INCLUDE MEDICAL CARE OF THE PATIENT BEGINNING AT THE SCENE, A TEAM APPROACH, AND A SPECIALIZED COMMUNICATIONS CONSOLE THAT COULD BE OPERATED BY BOTH NURSES AND PHYSICIANS. THE CONSOLE CONSISTS OF A RADIO SECTION WITH EASY-TO-OPERATE CONTROLS, SO THAT A NURSE OR PHYSICIAN CAN CONTACT OTHER HOSPITALS, RECEIVE INCOMING ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS, OR PAGE HOSPITAL STAFF MEMBERS. A TELEPHONE SECTION PROVIDES A 911 HOTLINE, AUTOMATICALLY PROGRAMMED TELEPHONE DIALER, AND HOSPITAL INTERCOM TERMINAL. EMS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AND FACILITIES CAN ALSO PROVIDE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY AND CAN ESTABLISH THE PROPER PATIENT DELIVERY IN CASES WHERE THE NEAREST HOSPITAL LACKS EQUIPMENT. AN INFORMATION SOURCE IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH A CHART AND TWO PHOTOGRAPHS. (AOP)