Chapter 4: Communications & Documentations

Question 1

Base Station

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Health Information Exchange

Answer 2

A system that allows EMS to access relevant health data, avoid unnecessary duplication in data entry, & view patient outcomes related to hospital care

Question 3

Channel

Answer 3

An assigned frequency/frequencies used to carry voice/data communications

Question 4

Simplex

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Open-ended Questions

Answer 5

Questions for which the patient must provide detail to answer

Question 6

Paging

Answer 6

The use of a radio signal & voice/digital message that is transmitted to pagers or desktop monitor radios

Question 7

Closed-ended Questions

Answer 7

Questions that can be answered in short/single-word responses

Question 8

Interoperable Communications System

Answer 8

A communication system that uses voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) tech to allow multiple agencies to communicate/transmit data

Question 9

Scanner

Answer 9

A radio receiver that searches or scans across several frequencies until the message is completed; the process is then repeated

Question 10

Very High Frequency (VHF)

Answer 10

Radio frequencies between 30 & 300 MHz (further divded into high & low bands)

Question 11

Telemetry

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Mobile Data Terminal

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Patient Care Report (PCR)
OR Prehospital Care Report

Answer 13

The legal document used to record all patient care activities. Has direct patient care functions & administrative/quality control functions

Question 14

Rapport

Answer 14

A trusting relationship you build with your patient

Question 15

Standing Orders

Answer 15

Written documents, signed by EMS medical director, that outline specific directions, permissions, & prohibitions regarding patient care (protocols)

Question 16

Emotional Intelligence

Answer 16

The ability to understand/manage one’s own emotions & properly respond to the emotions of others

Question 17

Trunking

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Documentation

Answer 18

The recorded portion of the EMT’s patient interaction (written/electronic). Becomes part of patient’s permanent medical record

Question 19

MED Channels

Answer 19

VHF & UHF channels that the FCC has designated exclusively for EMS use

Question 20

Duplex

Answer 20

The ability to transmit & receive simultaneously

Question 21

Dedicated Line

Answer 21

A special telephone line used for specific point-to-point communications (AKA: hotline)

Question 21

Repeater

Answer 21

A special base station radio that receives messages/signals on one frequency & automatically retransmits them on a second frequency

Question 22

Ultra High Frequencies (UHF)

Answer 22

Radio frequencies between 30 & 3,000 MHz

Question 23

Mental Model

Answer 23

The picture an individual has in their head of “what’s going on” in a given situation

Question 24

Handover/Handoff

Answer 24

The transfer of pertinent patient info & responsibility for patient’s care; often involves physical movement of patient & associated equipment

Question 25

Chief Complaint

Answer 25

The reason a patient called for help; Response to “What’s wrong?” “What happened?”

Question 26

Chief Concern

Answer 26

The condition requiring most urgent interventrion as determined by the provider’s assessment of the patient (not always same as chief complaint)

Question 27

Communication

Answer 27

The transmission of information to another person (verbally or via body language)

Question 28

Therapeutic Communication

Answer 28

Verbal/Nonverbal communication techniques taht encourage patients to express their feelings to achieve a positive relationship

Question 29

Cellular Telephone

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Cultural Imposition

Answer 30

When one person imposes their beliefs, values, & practices on another bc they believe their ideals are superior

Question 31

Multiplex

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Mission-critical Communications

Answer 32

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

Question 32

Ethnocentrism

Answer 32

When a person considers their own cultural values as more important when interacting w/ people of a different culture

Question 33

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Answer 33

The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate/international telephone/telegraph services & satellite communications (which may involve EMS activity)

Question 34

Noise

Answer 34

Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message