Chapter 10

1. Chapter 10 Communication Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

2. Topics 10 • Components of an emergency communications system • Communicating within the system • Interpersonal communication • Enrichment Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

3. Introduction to Emergency Communications Systems 10 • Communication is an extremely important and integral component of any modern EMS system • It is important for the EMT to have a good understanding of the communication system within their service to best capitalize on its benefits Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

4. Components of an Emergency Communications System 10 • Base station • Serves as dispatch and coordination center Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

5. Components of an Emergency Communications System 10 • Mobile transmitters/receivers • These are the radios mounted within the EMS vehicle Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

6. Components of an Emergency Communications System 10 • Portable transmitters/receivers • Hand-held units carried by EMS providers. Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

7. Components of an Emergency Communications System 10 • Repeaters • Electronic communication devices that boost a weaker signal (from a mobile or hand-held radio) Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

8. Components of an Emergency Communications System 10 • Digital equipment • Technological advancement which allows multiple radios to use same broadcast frequency Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

9. Components of an Emergency Communications System 10 • Cellular telephones • Allow communication via air waves within a certain “cell” (roughly 2–40 square mile area) • Cells overlap to allow continuous communication Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

10. Components of an Emergency Communications System 10 • Broadcast regulations • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) • Has jurisdiction over all radio operations in the U.S. Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

11. Components of an Emergency Communications System 10 • System maintenance • Do not mishandle equipment or expose to harsh environments • Ensure batteries are adequately charged at beginning of shift • Periodically check backup systems for proper functioning should primary system fail Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

12. Communicating Within the System 10 • As an EMT, you will communicate with your partner, other EMS providers, medical direction, and receiving facilities • There are general guidelines established to facilitate effective communication among these entities during daily EMS activities Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

13. Communicating Within the System 10 • Ground rules for radio communication • Ensure you are on the correct frequency • Reduce background noise • Listen to channel to ensure it is clear • Depress “press to talk” (PTT) button and wait a second or two prior to speaking Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

14. Communicating Within the System 10 • When completed, use “over” to identify you’re done speaking, and allow the receiver to then respond back with other questions or concerns Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

15. Communicating Within the System 10 • Communicating with dispatch • First point of contact regarding EMS call • Most staffed by EMD certified communication specialists Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

16. Communicating Within the System 10 • Communicating with dispatch • Communicate with dispatch when: • Acknowledging dispatch information is received • Announcing unit arrival on scene • Requesting additional resources (police, fire, etc.) • Announcing departure to destination hospital • Identifying arrival at the hospital • Stating you are “clear” when completed with assignment • Arriving back at your station or base Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

17. Communicating Within the System 10 • Communicating with medical direction • Often necessary when providing emergency care (especially with medication administration). Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

18. Communicating Within the System 10 • Communicating with medical direction • Provide the following: • Your unit’s number and level of service • The patient’s age, sex, and chief complaint • Pertinent SAMPLE and OPQRST findings • Current vital signs and other relative physical findings • Description of care provided thus far and the patient’s response to this • Estimated time of arrival to the ED Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

19. Communicating Within the System 10 • Providing the oral report • It is the responsibility of the EMT who was providing care to relay a brief review of the EMS call to the ED staff Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

20. Interpersonal Communication 10 • Interpersonal communication with the patient • In dealing with others, keep in mind the three “Cs” • Competence • Confidence • Compassion Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

21. Interpersonal Communication 10 • Communicating with the patient • Follow these guidelines with patients: • Introduce yourself, and inquire their name • Address the patient formally • Be certain to gain consent • Although some patients may refuse your help, they typically still will allow you to “check them out” Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

22. Special Circumstances 10 • Special circumstances • Use the following guidelines when dealing with patients with whom it is extra difficult to establish effective communication. Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

23. Special Circumstances 10 • Special Circumstances • Hearing problems • Non-English speaking patients • Elderly • Children Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

24. Enrichment 10 • Radio codes • Shortens radio time • Provides a degree of security when transmitting information • Rarely used by most EMS systems today Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

25. Enrichment 10 • Times • Most systems use military time: • 1 a.m. to 12 noon = 0100 to 1200 hours • 1 p.m. to Midnight = 1300 to 2400 hours – therefore – • 2:27 p.m. would become 1427 hours • 12:30 a.m. would become 0030 hours Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

26. Enrichment 10 • Radio terms • Universally understood terms used to shorten EMS communication • “Break”—afford a pause during radio traffic • “Clear”—end of transmission • “Come in”—request acknowledgement of transmission • “Copy”—message received and understood • “ETA”—estimated time of arrival • “Go Ahead”—proceed with your message Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen

27. Enrichment 10 • Radio terms • Universally understood terms used to shorten EMS communication • “Landline”—communication via traditional telephone • “Over”—end of message, awaiting reply • “Repeat” or “Say again”—did not understand message • “Spell out”—request to spell out phonetically words that are unclear • “Stand by”—please wait • “10-4”—acknowledge message is received and understood Prehospital Emergency Care, 8th Ed. Mistovich/Karren/Hafen