week 10

Question 1

How to inform family of a death

Answer 1

• Tell them in a way that is honest.
• That will not provoke anger or aggression.
• In a way they can understand.
• Allow them to react, but also try to ensure they are
listening to you.

Question 2

Poor communication

Answer 2

• A safe environment becoming dangerous
• The wrong information = wrong management = potential death of a patient
• Family going to the wrong hospital
• Family losing faith in the paramedic / ambulance
service
• Family arguments
• People feeling like it was their fault

Question 3

Nonverbal communication

Answer 3

Describes the process of conveying meaning in the form of non-word messages. The majority (63-93%) of our communication is non-verbal, and in particular is body language.

Question 4

Oral communication

Answer 4

Whilst primarily referring to spoken verbal communication, can also apply to visual aids and non-verbal elements to support the conveyance of meaning

Question 5

Who paramedics communicate with

Answer 5

• Paramedic - paramedic
• Paramedic – patient
• Paramedic – healthcare professional
• Paramedic – emergency service personnel
• Paramedic – patient family/ friends
• Paramedic – bystander/ witness

(Collegial, Inter - professional, Inter - agency)

Question 6

Establishing rapport

Answer 6

Establishing a rapport is essential if the paramedic is going to open and maintain proactive lines of communication with the patient

Without a good rapport often vital information may be missed or not conveyed

Question 7

Good communication

Answer 7

• Effective communicators are able to both listen and
convey complex information to a wide variety of people in a range of different situations

• Traits of effective/good communicators include:
• Likeability
• Trust
• Empathy
• Listen
• Professional

Question 8

Documentation

Answer 8

The patient care report (PCR) is used to document the essential elements of patient assessment, care, and
transport.

• Most modern Ambulance Services make use of electronic PCRs, the e-PCR.
• The PCR provides for:
• A record of the incident
• A legal record of the incident
• Professionalism
• Material for medical audit
• Data for quality improvement
• Billing and administration information
• Other data collection

Question 9

Reason for documentation

Answer 9

• the medical community involved in the patient’s care uses it
• it is a legal record
• it is important for reimbursement/billing
• and it is essential to data collection

Question 10

Documentation should include

Answer 10

• dates and response times
• difficulties encountered
• observations at the scene
• previous medical care provided
• a chronological description of the call
• and significant times.

Question 11

Hospital notification

Answer 11

We notify the hospital (via the radio) for the most ill of our
patients. This means that we have to do this in a short,
succinct manner as we are concurrently busy with patient
management

Question 12

IMST

Answer 12

• Identify: name, age & gender
• Mechanism of injury
• Injury or illness
• Signs & symptoms
• Treatment & time of event

Question 13

Handovers

Answer 13

• Begin with IMIST.
• Include a systematic review of injuries/illness (starting at the head).
• Include systematic review of interventions and medications that have been provided.
• Include information regarding the patient’s response.
• Provide a baseline set of observations.