CommunicationCommunicationss

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Communications Communications Systems and Systems and ComponentsComponents

Communications Communications Systems and Systems and ComponentsComponents

Communication Components

Communication Components

Understanding the elements Understanding the elements

of of communicationcommunication can make can make

you a more effectiveyou a more effective

EMS Provider.EMS Provider.

Base station:Base station:

A radio at a stationary site A radio at a stationary site with superior transmission with superior transmission and reception capabilities.and reception capabilities.

May be at a hospital, mountain top, dispatch center or other public safety agency.

Base Station Dispatch Center

PSAP:PSAP:

Public safety answering Public safety answering point.point.

Typically a 9-1-1 call-receiving center for a region or jurisdiction.

Two-way Transceiver - Mobile

Two-way Transceiver - Portable

Repeater:Repeater:

A remote receiver that receives A remote receiver that receives a transmission from a low-a transmission from a low-power portable or mobile radio power portable or mobile radio on one frequency, and then on one frequency, and then transmits the signal at a higher transmits the signal at a higher power (often on another power (often on another frequency).frequency).

Typical Repeater System

DispatcherDispatcher

HospitalHospitalPortablePortable

TransmitterTransmitter

RepeaterRepeater

EMS UnitEMS Unit

Radio Frequencies Radio Frequencies

Very High Frequency Very High Frequency (VHF)(VHF) Low bandLow band High bandHigh band

Ultra High Frequency Ultra High Frequency (UHF)(UHF) Used primarily for telemetryUsed primarily for telemetry

Telephones and Telephones and

cellular phones cellular phones

provide an excellent provide an excellent

alternativealternative

to radio to radio

communication.communication.

Radio channels are Radio channels are

regulated by the regulated by the Federal Federal

Communications Communications

Commission (FCC)...Commission (FCC)...

……who routinely monitors who routinely monitors

radio transmissions to radio transmissions to

ensure that ensure that proper proper

guidelinesguidelines are met. are met.

SystemSystemMaintenanceMaintenance

SystemSystemMaintenanceMaintenance

Proper Proper maintenance,maintenance, regular regular

inspectioninspection and and testingtesting of of

communications equipment communications equipment

cannot be overemphasized!cannot be overemphasized!

Procedures for Radio Procedures for Radio CommunicationsCommunicationsProcedures for Radio Procedures for Radio CommunicationsCommunications

Communication Principles

Communication Principles

Know local radio Know local radio communications procedures.communications procedures.

Radio Communications Principles Radio Communications Principles

Select proper channel and adjust volumeSelect proper channel and adjust volume

Ensure frequency is clear before transmittingEnsure frequency is clear before transmitting

Wait 1 second before speakingWait 1 second before speaking

Speak with lips 5 to 7 cm from microphoneSpeak with lips 5 to 7 cm from microphone

Address unit being called, then give name and number of unit callingAddress unit being called, then give name and number of unit calling

Communications Principles continued Communications Principles continued

Unit being called will acknowledge transmission, usually with Unit being called will acknowledge transmission, usually with “Go ahead.”“Go ahead.”

Speak clearly and slowlySpeak clearly and slowly

Keep transmissions briefKeep transmissions brief

Use clear everyday language Use clear everyday language (not codes)(not codes)

Avoid meaningless phrases Avoid meaningless phrases (e.g., “Be advised”)(e.g., “Be advised”)

Courtesy is always assumedCourtesy is always assumed

When giving a number that can be confusing, give the individual digitsWhen giving a number that can be confusing, give the individual digits

Do not use the patient’s name on the radioDo not use the patient’s name on the radio

Be impartial and objective with reportsBe impartial and objective with reports

Use “affirmative” and “negative” instead of “yes” and “no” (which are difficult to hear) Use “affirmative” and “negative” instead of “yes” and “no” (which are difficult to hear)

Communications Principles continued Communications Principles continued

Confirm that the information was received and understoodConfirm that the information was received and understood

Do not offer a diagnosis of the patient Do not offer a diagnosis of the patient (report objective findings and treatment)(report objective findings and treatment)

EMS channels should be used for EMS communications onlyEMS channels should be used for EMS communications only

Radio communications should be recorded by public safety agency or receiving hospitalRadio communications should be recorded by public safety agency or receiving hospital

Communications Principles continued Communications Principles continued

CommunicationCommunicationwith Dispatchwith Dispatch

CommunicationCommunicationwith Dispatchwith Dispatch

An An emergency medical dispatch emergency medical dispatch

(EMD)(EMD) system provides callers system provides callers

with pre-arrival instructions.with pre-arrival instructions.

Notify dispatcher when: Notify dispatcher when:

Receiving callReceiving call Responding to callResponding to call Arriving at sceneArriving at scene Arriving at patient’s sideArriving at patient’s side Leaving sceneLeaving scene Arriving at hospital or facilityArriving at hospital or facility Leaving hospital or facilityLeaving hospital or facility Arriving at stationArriving at station

Communication with Communication with Medical DirectionMedical Direction

Communication with Communication with Medical DirectionMedical Direction

Communicatio

n

with the

hospital must

be concise,

accurate,

organized

and pertinent.

Standard Reporting Format Standard Reporting Format

Patient’s age and genderPatient’s age and gender

Chief complaintChief complaint

History of present illnessHistory of present illness

Pertinent past medical historyPertinent past medical history

Mental statusMental status

Assessment findingsAssessment findings

Standard Reporting Format continued Standard Reporting Format continued

Vital signsVital signs

Treatment providedTreatment provided

Patient’s response to treatmentPatient’s response to treatment

Estimated time from scene to hospitalEstimated time from scene to hospital

Opportunity for questions from Opportunity for questions from

receiving facilityreceiving facility

Verbal Verbal CommunicationCommunication

Verbal Verbal CommunicationCommunication

Give a complete report to the Give a complete report to the hospital staff.hospital staff.

Hospital Staff Report Hospital Staff Report Summary of information given over Summary of information given over

the radiothe radio

Chief complaintChief complaint

Any history not givenAny history not given

Additional treatmentAdditional treatment

Additional vital signs taken en routeAdditional vital signs taken en route

Any additional pertinent information not given over the radioAny additional pertinent information not given over the radio

Interpersonal Interpersonal CommunicationCommunicationInterpersonal Interpersonal CommunicationCommunication

General PrinciplesGeneral Principles

To be effective, To be effective, EMS personnel EMS personnel need to need to understand the understand the fundamentals of fundamentals of interpersonal interpersonal communicatiocommunications.ns.

Effective Communication Tips Effective Communication Tips

Verbalize your supportVerbalize your support

Be a good listenerBe a good listener

Offer a reassuring touchOffer a reassuring touch

Be respectfulBe respectful

Separate personal biasSeparate personal bias

Be silent when appropriateBe silent when appropriate

Special Special PopulationsPopulations

Special Special PopulationsPopulations

Special Populations Special Populations Elderly personsElderly persons

Infants and childrenInfants and children

People who speak a foreign languagePeople who speak a foreign language

Patients with certain physical disabilitiesPatients with certain physical disabilities

Speak to Speak to

children in children in

a a calm, calm,

reassuring reassuring

manner.manner.

Communicating with the Elderly Communicating with the Elderly

Treat elderly patients with respectTreat elderly patients with respect

Assess their ability to hear when introducing yourselfAssess their ability to hear when introducing yourself(don’t assume they can’t hear you)(don’t assume they can’t hear you)

Consider your rate of speech and slow down if necessaryConsider your rate of speech and slow down if necessary

Elderly patients may have a visual deficitElderly patients may have a visual deficit

Use simple termsUse simple terms

SU

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RY Communications Systems and Communications Systems and

ComponentsComponents

Procedures for Radio Procedures for Radio

CommunicationsCommunications

Interpersonal CommunicationInterpersonal Communication