Ch. 5 EMR Book: Communications and Documentation Flashcards
Communication
Transmission of information to another person
Documentation
Written or electronically reported portion of patient care interaction
What is interoperability?
Agencies working together with the ability to communicate with each other
What are the two most common voice systems used in public safety agencies?
- Radio systems
- Telephone systems
Who regulates radio communications?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Channel
An assigned frequency or frequencies that are used to carry voice and/or data communications
How are frequencies assigned?
Based on the function of your organization
Trunked communications system
Computer-controlled radio system that allows the sharing of a few radio frequencies among a large group of users
What is the benefit of trunked communications systems?
It allows for more efficient use of the limited radio frequencies available to public safety agencies
Base station
Powerful two-way radio that is permanently mounted in a communications center for sending and receiving messages to and from the service area
Mobile radio
Two-way radio that is permanently mounted in an emergency vehicle that draws electricity from the electrical system of the vehicle
Portable radio
A handheld, battery-operated, two-way radio usually capable of operating on multiple channels
What can be a disadvantage of portable radios?
The controls are small and hard to see in darkness and they are low-powered
Repeater
A radio system that automatically retransmits a radio signal on a different frequency; found on portable radios
What are dead spots?
Geographic areas where radio signals are too weak for effective communications and repeaters are needed
What are some data systems?
- Paging systems
- Mobile data terminal (MDT)
- Fax machines
- Telemetry
- Digital messaging
Paging systems
Communications systems used to send voice or text messages over a radio system to specifically designed radio receivers
How can paging systems be used by departments?
For alerting members to emergency incidents
Mobile data terminal (MDT)
Computer terminal mounted in a vehicle that sends and receives data through a radio communications system
What is a benefit of MDTs?
They reduce the time the radio frequency is in use
Fax machine
Device used to send or receive printed text documents or images over a telephone or radio communications system
What can fax machines be used for?
Transmitting dispatch information
Telemetry
Process in which electronic signals are transmitted and received by radio or telephone; commonly used for sending electrocardiogram tracings
Digital messaging
Technology like email, text messaging, and social media which is becoming more used by EMRs to send and receive various types of information
What are the six phases of calls for medical assistance?
- Dispatch
- Response to the scene
- Arrival at the scene
- Updating responding EMS units
- Transfer of patient care to other EMS personnel
- Postrun activities
What should you do if you do not understand information given by dispatch?
Ask them to repeat or clarify what they said
What additional information can dispatch give you when responding to a scene of an emergency?
- Further information about the location
- The condition of the patient
What should you do if you are delayed in responding to the incident?
Inform dispatch of the situation and they may send another unit to the call if necessary
What should be included in your report after arriving to the scene?
- Verifying the location of the incident
- Type of incident
- Hazards present
- Number of patients
- Additional assistance required
What should you inform responding EMS units about the patient?
- Age and sex
- Chief complaint
- Level of responsiveness
- Status of the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation and/or severe bleeding (vital signs)
- What equipment will be needed to treat them
What should be included in a handoff report when EMTs or paramedics arrive?
1-5 listed in information responding EMS units need to know about the patient
6. History of the incident
7. How you found the patient
8. Results of the physical examination
9. Pertinent medical conditions (SAMPLE)
10. Interventions provided and how the patient responded to them
11. Agency and personnel who took over treatment of the patient
12. Time dispatched, time responded to the scene, time other EMS providers arrived, time departed
13. Reportable conditions present
14. Infectious disease exposure and hazards
15. Anything unusual about the situation
16. Any other helpful facts
SAMPLE acronym
S- signs and symptoms
A- allergies
M- medications
P- pertinent past medical history
L- last oral intake
E- events leading to injury or illness
After a call, what should you inform your communications center of?
- How long it will take to get to the unit ready for service
- When you will be ready for another call
What is included as postrun activities?
- Informing communications center
- Writing a report of the call
What improves communication for all patients in any circumstance?
- Maintaining composure
- Showing empathy
- Keeping an open mind
What are the guidelines for effective communication with patients?
- Introduce yourself
- Address the patient by their name after asking for it
- Keep eye contact
- Use language the patient can understand/avoid confusing technical terms
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Tell the truth
- Allow time for the patient to respond
- Limit the number of people talking with the patient
- Be aware of your body language
- Act and speak in a calm, confident manner
- Respect the cultural norms of the patient
- Use open-ended and closed-ended questions appropriately
What can you do to communicate more effectively with someone who does not speak the same language as you?
Find a translator/someone who can speak both languages like the patient’s child or family member
How can you make it easier to communicate with a pediatric patient?
- Provide reassurance you’re only there to help
- Introduce yourself
- Have a parent present to tell them everything’s ok and comfort them
- Establish eye contact on their level, do not stand over them
- Keep questions simple
How should you manage a patient who acts in a disruptive way?
- Assess the situation to determine the cause of their behavior
- Protect the patient and yourself
- Stay between the patient and the exit when possible
- Don’t take your eyes off the patient or turn your back on them
- Wait for law enforcement to respond if the patient has a weapon
- Carry on with treatment if personal safety is ensured
