Chapter 4: Communications & Documentation Flashcards
any radio hardware containing a transmitter and a receiver that is located in a fixed place
base station
a low-power portable radio that communicated through an interconnected series of repeater stations called “cells”
cellular telephone
an assigned frequency or frequencies that are used to carry voice and/or data communications
channel
questions that can be answered in short or single word responses
close-ended questions
the transmission of information to another person–verbally or through body language
communication
when one person imposes his or her beliefs, values, and practices on another because he or she believe his or her ideals are superior
cultural imposition
a special phone line that is used for specific point-to-point communications; also known as a “hot line”
dedicated line
the written portion of the EMT’s patient interaction. This becomes part of the patient’s permanent medical record
documentation
the ability to transmit and receive simultaneously
duplex
When a person considers his or her own cultural values and more important when interacting with people of a different culture
ethnocentrism
The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone and telegraph services and satellite communications, all of which may involve EMS activity
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
VHF and UHF channels that the FCC has designated exclusively for EMS use
MED channels
Small computer terminals inside ambulances that directly receive data from the dispatch center
Mobile data terminal (MDT)
Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message
noise
Questions for which the patient must provide detail to give an answer
open-ended questions
The use of a radio signal and a voice or digital message that is transmitted to pagers (“beepers”) or desktop monitor radios
paging
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.
patient care report (PCR)
The study of space between people and its effects on communication
proxemics
a trusting relationship that you build with your patient
rapport
a special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency
repeater
A radio receiver that searches or “scans” across several frequencies until the message is completed; the process is then repeated.
scanner
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.
simplex
written documents, signed by the EMS system’s medical director, that outline specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care; also called protocols
standing orders
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
telemetry
Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship.
therapeutic communication
telecommunication systems that allow a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies
trunking
Radio frequencies between 300 and 3,000 MHz
UHF (ultra-high frequency)
Radio frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz; the VHF spectrum is further divided into “high” and “low” bands.
VHF (very-high frequency)
