Chapter 4: Communications & Documentations Flashcards
Base Station
Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and receiver located in a fixed place
Health Information Exchange
A system that allows EMS to access relevant health data, avoid unnecessary duplication in data entry, & view patient outcomes related to hospital care
Channel
An assigned frequency/frequencies used to carry voice/data communications
Simplex
Single-frequency radio; transmissions can occur in either direction but NOT simultaneously; when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party transmitting is unable to receive
Open-ended Questions
Questions for which the patient must provide detail to answer
Paging
The use of a radio signal & voice/digital message that is transmitted to pagers or desktop monitor radios
Closed-ended Questions
Questions that can be answered in short/single-word responses
Interoperable Communications System
A communication system that uses voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) tech to allow multiple agencies to communicate/transmit data
Scanner
A radio receiver that searches or scans across several frequencies until the message is completed; the process is then repeated
Very High Frequency (VHF)
Radio frequencies between 30 & 300 MHz (further divded into high & low bands)
Telemetry
A process in which electronic signals are converted into coded, audible signals that can be transmitted by radio or telephone to a receiver w/ a decoder at the hospital
Mobile Data Terminal
A small computer terminal inside the ambulance that directly receives data from the dispatch center
Patient Care Report (PCR)
OR Prehospital Care Report
The legal document used to record all patient care activities. Has direct patient care functions & administrative/quality control functions
Rapport
A trusting relationship you build with your patient
Standing Orders
Written documents, signed by EMS medical director, that outline specific directions, permissions, & prohibitions regarding patient care (protocols)
Emotional Intelligence
The ability to understand/manage one’s own emotions & properly respond to the emotions of others
Trunking
Telecommunication systems that allow a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies
Documentation
The recorded portion of the EMT’s patient interaction (written/electronic). Becomes part of patient’s permanent medical record
MED Channels
VHF & UHF channels that the FCC has designated exclusively for EMS use
Duplex
The ability to transmit & receive simultaneously
Dedicated Line
A special telephone line used for specific point-to-point communications (AKA: hotline)
Repeater
A special base station radio that receives messages/signals on one frequency & automatically retransmits them on a second frequency
Ultra High Frequencies (UHF)
Radio frequencies between 30 & 3,000 MHz
Mental Model
The picture an individual has in their head of “what’s going on” in a given situation
Handover/Handoff
The transfer of pertinent patient info & responsibility for patient’s care; often involves physical movement of patient & associated equipment
Chief Complaint
The reason a patient called for help; Response to “What’s wrong?” “What happened?”
Chief Concern
The condition requiring most urgent interventrion as determined by the provider’s assessment of the patient (not always same as chief complaint)
Communication
The transmission of information to another person (verbally or via body language)
Therapeutic Communication
Verbal/Nonverbal communication techniques taht encourage patients to express their feelings to achieve a positive relationship
Cellular Telephone
A low-power portable radio that communicates through an interconnected series of repeater stations (cells)
Cultural Imposition
When one person imposes their beliefs, values, & practices on another bc they believe their ideals are superior
Multiplex
The ability to transmit audio & data signals through the use of more than one communications channel
Mission-critical Communications
Any communications where disruption will result in failure of the mission at hand
Ethnocentrism
When a person considers their own cultural values as more important when interacting w/ people of a different culture
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate/international telephone/telegraph services & satellite communications (which may involve EMS activity)
Noise
Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message
