EMT - Chapter 4 : Communications and Documentation

base station

Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and a receiver that is located in a fixed place.

cellular telephone

A low-power portable radio that communicates through an interconnected series of repeater stations called cells.

channel

One or more assigned frequencies that are used to carry voice and/or data communications.

chief complaint

The reason a patient called for help; also, the patient's response to questions such as "What's wrong?" or "What happened?"

chief concern

The condition requiring the most urgent intervention as determined by the provider's assessment of the patient; it is not always the same as the chief complaint.

closed-ended questions

Questions that can be answered in short or single-word responses.

communication

The transmission of information to another person—verbally or through body language.

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.

dedicated line

A special telephone line that is used for specific point-to-point communications; also known as a hotline.

documentation

The recorded portion of the EMT's patient interaction, either written or electronic. It becomes part of the patient's permanent medical record.

duplex

The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously.

emotional intelligence

The ability to understand and manage one's own emotions and properly respond to the emotions of others.

ethnocentrism

When a person considers his or her own cultural values to be more important when interacting with people of a different culture.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone and telegraph services and satellite communications, all of which may involve EMS activity.

hand-over

The transfer of pertinent patient information and the responsibility for the patient's care; often involves the physical movement of the patient and associated equipment; also known as handoff.

health information exchange (HIE)

A system that allows EMS providers to access relevant health data (eg, past medical problems, medications, allergies, end-of-life decisions), avoid unnecessary duplication of effort in data entry, and view patient outcomes related to hospital care.

interoperable communications system

A communication system that uses voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to allow multiple agencies to communicate and transmit data.

MED channels

VHF and UHF channels that the Federal Communications Commission has designated exclusively for EMS use.

mental model

The picture an individual has in his or her head of "what's going on" in a given situation.

mission-critical communications

Any communications whose disruption will result in the failure of the mission at hand.

mobile data terminal (MDT)

A small computer terminal inside the ambulance that directly receives data from the dispatch center.

multiplex

The ability to transmit audio and data signals through the use of more than one communications channel.

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.

paging

The use of a radio signal and a voice or digital message that is transmitted to pagers ("beepers") or desktop monitor radios.

patient care report (PCR)

The legal document used to record all patient care activities; it has direct patient care functions but also administrative and quality control functions. Also known as a prehospital care report.

rapport

A trusting relationship that you build with your patient.

repeater

A special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency.

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; when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party that is transmitting is unable to receive.

standing orders

Written documents, signed by the EMS system's medical director, that outline specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care; also called protocols.

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.

therapeutic communication

Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship.

trunking

Telecommunication systems that allow a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies.

UHF (ultra-high frequency)

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3,000 MHz.

VHF (very high frequency)

Radio frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz; the VHF spectrum is further divided into high and low bands.