Chapter 5 Communications: Vital Vocabulary

Question 1

On-board computer systems in motor vehicles that automatically send telemetry data to a monitoring service in the event of a crash, which then relays the data to emergency responders; also called advanced automatic crash notification.

Answer 1

automatic crash notification (ACN)

Question 2

A radio at a fixed location (such as a hospital or dispatch center) consisting of a transmitter, receiver, and antenna.

Answer 2

base station

Question 3

Transmission of physiologic data, such as an electrocardiogram, from the patient to a distant point of reception (commonly referred to in emergency medical services as telemetry),

Answer 3

biotelemetry

Question 4

Wireless telephones that communicate via radio waves with the telephone system through an interconnected network of repeater stations called cells.

Answer 4

cell phones

Question 5

Using regular language (plain English) and accepted terms to enhance clarity of communication, rather than using ten-codes or other code systems.

Answer 5

clear text

Question 6

A question that is specific and focused, requiring either a yes or no answer, or an answer chosen from specific options.

Answer 6

closed-ended question

Question 7

Linked dispatch center computer consoles and vehicle-mounted mobile data terminals

Answer 7

computer assisted dispatch (CAD)

Question 8

An operational practice designed to enhance communication and teamwork, and to thereby reduce preventable errors.

Answer 8

crew resource management (CRM)

Question 9

An understanding of the predominant cultures that exist in the geographic area in which the paramedic provides patient care.

Answer 9

cultural competence

Question 10

The system of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that are learned and shared by members of a group.

Answer 10

culture

Question 11

The transmission of information via radio waves using native digital (computer) data or analog (voice) signals that have been converted to a digital signal and compressed.

Answer 11

digital radio

Question 12

To send to a specific destination or to send on a task.

Answer 12

dispatch

Question 13

Radio system using paired frequencies to permit the use of remote repeaters or simultaneous transmission and reception.

Answer 13

duplex

Question 14

A program specifically designed to meet the unique needs of emergency medical services response and of callers reporting a medical emergency, including first aid instructions given by specially trained dispatchers to callers over the telephone while an ambulance is en route to the call.

Answer 14

emergency medical dispatch (EMD)

Question 15

An embedded signal that permits controlled access to the radio transmission.

Answer 15

encoded radio signals

Question 16

An emergency communications system that collects information about 9-1-1 calls from the telephone network, such as the phone number and location of the caller, and displays this information on the dispatcher’s computer terminal.

Answer 16

enhanced 9-1-1 system

Question 17

Viewing other cultures based solely upon the standards and values of one’s own culture; a belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own cultural or ethnic group.

Answer 17

ethnocentrism

Question 18

The independent government agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories.

Answer 18

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Question 19

The number of cycles (oscillations) per second of a radio signal.

Answer 19

frequency

Question 20

Technology that uses global positioning system and other data to map the locations of objects and events.

Answer 20

geographic information system (GIS)

Question 21

Unit of measure of a frequency equal to 1 cycle per second; 1 million Hz equals one megahertz and 1000 megahertz equals one gigahertz

Answer 21

hertz (Hz)

Question 22

Public safety communications systems which are compatible across all local, tribal, state, and federal agencies.

Answer 22

interoperability

Question 23

Communications system linked by wires, usually in reference to a conventional telephone system.

Answer 23

landline

Question 24

A dispatch system using a specific format to indicate the nature of the emergency and its priority.

Answer 24

medical priority dispatch system (MPDS)

Question 25

Assistance to other nearby agencies when local resources are overwhelmed.

Answer 25

mutual aid

Question 26

Simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams, most often voice and electrocardiogram signals.

Answer 26

multiplex

Question 27

Reassignment of frequencies by the Federal Communications Commission to a 12.5 megahertz spacing, now required for all emergency medical services and public safety radio systems.

Answer 27

narrow band

Question 28

Interference in a radio signal

Answer 28

noise

Question 29

Patient care orders in the form of protocols or standing orders that do not require direct contact with the medical control physician.

Answer 29

off-line medical control

Question 30

Patient care orders provided directly to the paramedic by the medical control physician by radio or telephone.

Answer 30

online medical control

Question 31

A question that does not have a yes or no answer, and that does not give the patient specific options from which to choose.

Answer 31

open-ended question

Question 32

A group of disorders that cause delays in many areas of childhood development, such as the development of skills to communicate and interact socially, and may include repetitive body movements and difficulty with changes in routine; includes autism and Asperger syndrome, among others.

Answer 32

pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs)

Question 33

The location to which 9-1-1 calls are routed, which may or may not serve as the dispatch center.

Answer 33

public safety answering point (PSAP)

Question 34

Areas where mobile or portable radios are unable to communicate with a repeater.

Answer 34

radio dead spots

Question 35

A terminal that receives transmissions of telemetry an voice from the field and transmits messages back, usually through the base station.

Answer 35

remote terminal

Question 36

Remote radio transceiver that receives radio signals and rebroadcasts them at a higher power, extending the range of a radio communications system.

Answer 36

repeater

Question 37

Radio communication using a single frequency

Answer 37

simplex

Question 38

A structured patient report format designed to convey important information in a concise manner.

Answer 38

situation, background, assessment, and recommendation (SBAR)

Question 39

Filtering system to block background noise when a radio is on but not receiving a signal.

Answer 39

squelch

Question 40

Computer-based system permitting real-time two-way audio, video, and data communication between the paramedic and medical control physician.

Answer 40

telemedicine

Question 41

A radio code system using the number 10 plus another number. No longer used in many emergency medical services systems.

Answer 41

ten-code

Question 42

Communicating with the patient using specific strategies to encourage the patient to express ideas and feelings, and to convey respect and acceptance.

Answer 42

therapeutic communication

Question 43

A radio containing both a transmitter and a receiver, a two-way radio.

Answer 43

transceiver

Question 44

Computerized sharing of radio frequencies by multiple units, agencies, or systems.

Answer 44

trunked radio system

Question 45

The portion of the radio frequency spectrum between 300 and 3,000 megahertz.

Answer 45

ultra high frequency (UHF) band

Question 46

A planned pause before the beginning of a procedure that improves communication among all personnel involved and reduces preventable errors.

Answer 46

universal timeout

Question 47

The portion of the radio frequency spectrum between 30 and 300 megahertz.

Answer 47

very high frequency (VHF) band