Communication
ECA
Temple College
Sequences of Events
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Notification of Problem (911)
Units Dispatched
Units indicate enroute to scene
Units indicate on scene
– May indication when patient contact occurs
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Unit indicate enroute to destination
Radio report to receiving facility
Unit indicate arrival at facility
Verbal report to staff
Unit indicate back in service
Notification of Event
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911
– Basic System
 Universal number for all
emergencies
– Enhanced Systems
 Provides Phone number and
address to dispatcher
– Not all parts of US covered
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Radio Report
– Other Agency radios about
problems
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Individuals walk into
Station
Dispatch
Obtains information
 Sends appropriate
agencies
 Coordinates
response
 Gives pre-arrival
medical direction
 Manages system
resources
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Notification of Personnel
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Dispatch Information
– Location
– Nature of Problem
– May receive follow up information giving more specific
info
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Occurs via
– Radio
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 May include paging system
Digital Pager
Mobile Data Terminal
Cellular Phone
Telephone
 Rarely used
Verbal report to transporting unit
Should be given when crew arrives.
 Follow same format used for giving a
report to the receiving facility
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Contact Medical Control
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Via
– Radio
– Cell phone
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May include
biotelemetry
– Transmission of
physiological data over
radio
 EKG
 12 Lead
Communication with Medical
Direction
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Location of Medical Control
– Receiving Facility
– Not at receiving facility
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Purpose
– Orders for patient care
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Requires
– Organized, Concise and pertinent
– AccurateA
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After receiving an order (or denial of such a request),
repeat the order back word for word.
Orders that are unclear or appear to be inappropriate
should be questioned.
Communicating with Receiving
Facility
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Allows hospitals to have the right room, equipment and personnel
prepared
When communicating with medical direction or the receiving facility,
a verbal report should be given. The essential elements of such a
report, in the order they should be given, are:
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Identify unit and level of provider (who and what)
Patient's age and sex
Chief complaint
Brief, pertinent history of the present illness
Major past illnesses
Mental status
Baseline vital signs
Pertinent findings of the physical exam
Emergency medical care given
Response to emergency medical care
Estimated time of arrival
Verbal Report at sites
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After arrival at the hospital, give
a verbal report to the staff.
– Introduce the patient by name (if
known).
– Summarize the information given
over the radio:
 Chief complaint
 History that was not given
previously
 Additional treatment given en route
 Additional vital signs taken en route
– Give additional information that was
collected but not transmitted.
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Must also leave written report
System Components
Base Station
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A radio which is located
at a stationary site such
as a hospital, mountain
top, or public safety
agency.
Principal transmitter and
receiver for system
45 to 275 watt
– Set by FCC
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Multiple channel
capabilities
Remote Consoles
Allows operation of base station from
another location
 Used when it is not convenient to have
dispatch center at base station
 Back up dispatch center
 Uses dedicated telephone lines to send
signal to tower
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Mobile radios
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Vehicular mounted
device.
Mobile transmitters
usually transmit at lower
power than base stations
(typically 20 - 50 watts).
Typical transmission
range is 10 - 15 miles
over average terrain.
Multiple Channels
May be capable of
biotelemetry transmission
Portable Radio
Handheld device.
 Typically have
power output of
1 - 5 watts,
limiting their
range.
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Repeater
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Receives a transmission from a low-power portable or
mobile radio on one frequency and retransmits at a
higher power on another frequency.
Allows everyone to hear both sides of conversation
May be at a fixed site or in mobile unit
Other Equipment
Digital radio
equipment
 Cellular telephones
 Faxes
 Computer Data
Terminal
 Satellite Receivers
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Radio Frequencies
Assigned and licensed by the Federal
Communication Commission (FCC).
 Measured in Hertz
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– Number of cycles per second
– 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second
– Modern systems
 800 – 900 MegaHertz
– Different ranges have different characteristics
 Geographic features will determine which range is best for
your area
System Maintenance
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Equipment is fragile and
expensive
Avoid mishandling
Schedule regular cleaning
Repair by qualified
technician only
Keep batteries charged
and spares ready
Have Alternatives in case
of failure
When speaking
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Ensure radio is on and volume is properly adjusted.
Select Correct Channel
Listen and ensure it is clear before beginning a transmission.
Press the "press to talk" (PTT) button on the radio and wait for
one second before speaking.
– Allows repeaters and trucking systems to open channel
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Speak with lips about 2 to 3 inches from the microphone.
Address the unit being called, then give the name of the unit
(and number if appropriate) where the transmission is
originating from.
The unit being called will signal that the transmission should
start by saying "go ahead" or some other term standard for that
area. A response of "stand by" means wait until further notice.
When speaking…Do
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Speak clearly and slowly,
in a monotone voice.
Keep transmissions brief.
If, on occasion, a
transmission takes longer
than 30 seconds Stop
– Pause to see if emergency
traffic can use the frequency
if necessary.
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Use plain English (not
codes)
When Speaking
When transmitting a number that might
be confused (e.g., a number in the teens),
give the number, then give the individual
digits.
 When the transmission is finished, indicate
this by saying "over." Get confirmation
that the message was received.
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When speaking…DO NOT
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Use codes (i.e. 10-4)
– May mean different things to different agencies
Use meaningless phrases like "Be advised."
 Use profanity on the air.
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– FCC may issue fines
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Use words that are difficult to hear like "yes"
and "no."
– Use "affirmative" and "negative
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Give a patient's name or other identifying
information over the air.
Interpersonal
Communication
Interpersonal Communication
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Make and keep eye contact with the patient.
Use the patient's proper name, either first or
last, depending on the circumstances. Ask the
patient what he wishes to be called..
When practical, position yourself at a level lower
than the patient.
Be aware of your own body language.
Speak clearly, slowly and distinctly.
Interpersonal Communication
Use language the patient can understand.
 If a patient has difficulty hearing, speak
clearly with lips visible.
 Allow the patient enough time to answer a
question before asking the next one.
 Act and speak in a calm, confident manner
 Be honest with the patient.
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