*(Chapter 5) Communication And Documentation

Question 1

What is empathy?

Answer 1

The ability to see things from the patient’s perspective.

Question 2

What does E-PCR stand for?

Answer 2

Electronic Patient Care Report.

Question 3

What is the role of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?

Answer 3

Regulates all radio operations in the U.S.

Question 4

What is telemedicine?

Answer 4

Delivery of healthcare services via real-time telecommunication technologies.

Question 5

What is therapeutic communication?

Answer 5

Techniques prioritizing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of patients.

Question 6

What are the primary forms of EMS communication?

Answer 6

Dispatch, emergency responders, and medical direction.

Question 7

What are portable radios used for?

Answer 7

Handheld communication with limited range, often supported by repeaters.

Question 8

How do mobile radios differ from portable radios?

Answer 8

They are vehicle-mounted and have a greater range.

Question 9

What is a base station?

Answer 9

A fixed transmitter/receiver in contact with all radio system components.

Question 10

What is the purpose of a repeater?

Answer 10

To amplify low-power transmissions and improve range.

Question 11

What are MDCs (Mobile Data Computers)?

Answer 11

Devices that relay digital information, reducing radio traffic.

Question 12

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cellphones in EMS?

Answer 12

Advantages: Easy, clear audio, inexpensive. Disadvantages: Unreliable during peak demand or mass casualty incidents.

Question 13

What are key rules for radio communication?

Answer 13

1. Confirm receipt of dispatch information. 2. Notify dispatch at all phases of the call. 3. Use correct radio/frequency and clear, concise language.

Question 14

What is included in a report to medical direction?

Answer 14

Patient’s age, chief complaint, vitals, history, treatments, and requests for additional interventions.

Question 15

What are the main purposes of a Patient Care Report (PCR)?

Answer 15

1. Ensure continuity of care. 2. Serve as a legal document. 3. Support billing and quality improvement.

Question 16

What must be included in the minimum data set?

Answer 16

Accurate times for dispatch, arrival, and transfer of care.

Question 17

What are the steps for transferring care?

Answer 17

1. Provide a verbal report. 2. Submit a written PCR. 3. Obtain a signature from the accepting provider.

Question 18

What are key components of interpersonal communication?

Answer 18

1. Encoding and decoding messages. 2. Awareness of tone and non-verbal cues. 3. Building rapport through honesty and respect.

Question 19

What should be avoided during communication?

Answer 19

1. False promises or biased language. 2. Advice beyond your scope. 3. Overusing medical jargon.

Question 20

What are principles of therapeutic communication?

Answer 20

1. Show compassion, empathy, and competence. 2. Use open-ended questions. 3. Avoid judgmental statements.

Question 21

What is telemedicine used for in EMS?

Answer 21

Real-time communication between responders and physicians for medical direction.

Question 22

What is Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH)?

Answer 22

A collaboration between EMS and healthcare facilities for integrated care.

Question 23

What must be included in a verbal transfer of care?

Answer 23

All relevant patient information, including updates since radio reports.

Question 24

What is required for written transfer of care?

Answer 24

A patient care report (PCR) must accompany the patient.

Question 25

What signature is required during transfer of care?

Answer 25

Obtain a signature from the accepting provider verifying transfer of care.

Question 26

What does effective communication involve?

Answer 26

The sender "encodes" the message; the receiver "decodes" it.

Question 27

What factors influence communication?

Answer 27

Non-verbal cues, attitude, and tone significantly impact effectiveness.

Question 28

How can you establish rapport with a patient?

Answer 28

Introduce yourself, address the patient by name, be honest, and respect cultural differences.

Question 29

What should you avoid in communication?

Answer 29

Avoid false promises, biased language, confrontational behavior, and overusing medical jargon.

Question 30

What are challenging communication scenarios?

Answer 30

Patients with disabilities, those under the influence of drugs/alcohol, and pediatric patients.

Question 31

What is therapeutic communication?

Answer 31

A style of communication showing compassion, empathy, and commitment to the patient's well-being.

Question 32

How can you effectively question patients?

Answer 32

Use open-ended questions for information and closed questions for specifics; avoid judgmental language.

Question 33

What is telemedicine?

Answer 33

Real-time communication with physicians for medical direction.

Question 34

What is Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH)?

Answer 34

Coordinated care among EMS and healthcare providers to reduce hospital visits.

Question 35

What is the purpose of the PCR?

Answer 35

Continuity of care, legal documentation, billing, and quality improvement.

Question 36

What are the key rules for documentation?

Answer 36

Document only what you did; if it's not documented, it wasn't done; ensure accurate timing.

Question 37

What content must a PCR include?

Answer 37

Patient demographics, assessment findings, treatments, and administrative details.

Question 38

What are the common documentation formats?

Answer 38

FACT (Factual, Accurate, Complete, Timely), SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan), CHART (Chief complaint, History, Assessment, Rx, Transport).

Question 39

What should you avoid in documentation?

Answer 39

Spelling errors, unapproved abbreviations, and falsifications.

Question 40

What are errors of omission?

Answer 40

Leaving out critical details from the report.

Question 41

What are errors of commission?

Answer 41

Including incorrect or misleading information in the report.

Question 42

What must you document for patient refusals?

Answer 42

Patient capacity, treatments offered/refused, risks explained, and witness signatures.

Question 43

What steps should you take for patient refusals?

Answer 43

Call medical direction for advice and recommend the patient call EMS again if they change their mind.

Question 44

What are possible special reporting situations?

Answer 44

Death, mass casualty incidents, abuse, suspected crimes, animal bites, and disease outbreaks.

Question 45

What is abandonment in EMS?

Answer 45

Failing to give a verbal transfer of care to an equal or higher authority.

Question 46

Why is cultural competence important?

Answer 46

It helps tailor communication to diverse patient needs and ensures effective care.