2. Topics
Role and Importance of
Communications
Phases of Communications
Data Collection
Technology and Information
Exchange
Components of an EMS
Communications System
3. Introduction
Knowledge of communications
plays an important role in your
paramedic training.
All aspects of prehospital care
require effective, efficient
communications.
Communication is the key link in
the chain that results in the best
possible patient outcome.
5. Basic Communication Model
Sender has an idea, or message.
Sender encodes message.
Sender sends message.
Receiver receives message.
Receiver decodes message.
Receiver gives feedback to sender.
6. Verbal Communication
Factors that enhance or impede
effective communication may be either
SEMANTIC (the meaning of words)
or
TECHNICAL
(communications hardware)
7. Your communication
network must consist of
reliable equipment designed to
afford clear
communication among all
agencies within
the system.
9. A radio system is a critical
component of an EMS system.
Radio Band—a range of radio
frequencies.
Radio Frequencies—the number
of times per minute a radio wave
oscillates.
Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF)—
radio frequency band from
300 to 3,000 megahertz.
10. Communication Technology
EMS systems use all of today’s
various communication
technologies.
These include traditional forms of
radio communication as well as
innovations in radio technology
and other media.
15. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC)
The agency that controls
all nongovernmental
communications in
the United States
16. The FCC:
Licenses and allocates radio
frequencies.
Establishes technical standards.
Monitors frequencies to assure
appropriate usage.
Spot checks base stations and
dispatch centers for appropriate
licenses and records.
27. Reporting Procedures
One of your most important
skills will be gathering essential
patient information, organizing
it, and relaying it to the medical
direction physician.
28. Standard Reporting Format
(1 of 2)
Identification of unit and provider
Description of scene
Patient’s age, sex, and
approximate weight
Patient’s chief complaint
Brief pertinent history (OPQRST)
29. Standard Reporting Format
(2 of 2)
Pertinent past medical history
(SAMPLE)
Pertinent physical exam findings
Treatment given so far/
request for orders
Estimated time of arrival
to the hospital
Other pertinent information
30. Being
concise,
descriptive,
and thorough
are hallmarks
of a
professional.
31. Elements of Medical Patient Report
Paramedic identification
Patient identification
Subjective data
Objective data
Plan
32. Elements of Trauma Patient Report
Paramedic identification
Patient identification
Mechanism of injury
Injuries
Plan
33. Summary
Role and Importance of
Communications
Phases of Communications
Data Collection
Technology and Information
Exchange
Components of an EMS
Communications System
Notes de l'éditeur
A. The functions of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher 1. Call taking 2. Alerting and directing response 3. Monitoring and coordinating communications 4. Pre-arrival instructions 5. Maintaining incident record B. Appropriate information to be gathered by the Emergency Medical Dispatcher 1. Caller's name and call-back number a. Enhanced 9-1-1 system 2. Address of event 3. Nature of event 4. Specific event information a. Call screening b. Pre-arrival instructions
C. Role of emergency medical dispatch in a typical EMS event 1. Part of the EMS system team 2. First contact with the EMS system 3. Coordination of response 4. Coordination of communications 5. Provision of pre-arrival instructions to mitigate event prior to arrival of units 6. Incident data collection D. Importance of pre-arrival instructions in a typical EMS event 1. Provides immediate assistance 2. Complements call screening 3. Provides updated information to responding unit(s) 4. May be life sustaining in critical incidents 5. Emotional support for caller/ bystanders/ victim
A. Information that should be verbally reported to medical direction 1. Depends on technology used for transmission 2. May vary with local protocol 3. Based on patient priority 4. Standard format a. Efficient use of communications system b. Assists medical direction c. Assures no significant information is omitted
General procedures for exchange of information 1. Protect privacy of the patient 2. Use proper unit numbers, hospital numbers, proper names, and titles 3. Do not use slang or profanity 4. Use standard formats for transmission 5. Utilize the "echo" procedure when receiving directions from the dispatcher or physician orders 6. Obtain confirmation that message was received
Pt ID includes age sex pmd pertinent medical history Objective includes vitals Plan includes treatments and their effects on patient Allows hospital to anticipate patient and prepare – include eta
