Chapter 4 Communications And Documentation Flashcards
Communication
The transmission of information to another person- verbally or through body language
Documentation
The recorded portion of the EMT’s patient interaction, either written or electronic. This becomes part of the patient’s permanent medical record
Ethnocentrism
When a person considers his or her own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture
Therapeutic Communication
Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship
Cultural Imposition
When one person imposes his or her beliefs, values, and practices on another because he or she believe his or her ideals are superior
Noise
Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message
Open-Ended Questions
Questions for which the patient must provide detail to give an answer
Closed-Ended Questions
Questions that can be answered in short or single word responses
Rapport
A trusting relationship that you build with your patient
Patient Care Report (PCR)
The legal document used to record all patient care activities. This report has direct patient care functions but also administrative and quality control functions. PCRs are also known as prehospital care reports
Base Station
Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and receiver that is located in a fixed place
Channel
An assigned frequency or frequencies that are used to carry voice and/or data communications
Dedicated Linecations; also known as a hotline
A special telephone line that is used for specific point to point communi
VHF (Very High Frequency)
Radio frequencies between 30 to 300 MHz; the VHF spectrum is further divided into ‘“high” and “low” bands
UHF (Ultra-High Frequency)
Radio frequencies between 300 and 3000 MHz
Repeater
A special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency
Telemetry
A process in which electronic signals are converted into coded, audible signals; these signals can then be transmitted by radio or telephone to a receiver with a decoder at the hospital
Cellular Telephone
A low power portable radio that communicated through an interconnected series of repeater stations called “cells”
Scanner
A radio receiver that searches or “scans” across several frequencies until the message is completed; the process is then repeated
Simplex
Single-frequency radio; transmissions can occur in either direction but not simultaneously in both; when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party that is transmitting is unable to receive
Duplex
The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously
Multiplex
The ability to transmit audio and data signals through the use of more than one communications channel
MED Channels
VHF and UHF channels that the Federal Communications Commission has designated exclusively for EMS use
Trunking
Telecommunication systems that allow a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies
Interoperable Communications System
A communication system that uses voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) technology to allow multiple agencies to communicate and transmit data
Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)
A small computer terminal inside the ambulance that directly receives data from the dispatch center
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone and telegraph services and satellite communications; al of which may involve EMS activity
Paging
The use of a radio signal and a voice or digital message that is transmitted to pagers (“beepers”) or desktop monitor radios
Standing Orders
Written documents, signed by the EMS system’s medical director, that outlines specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care; also called protocols
