Chapter 18 Radio

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 2 Overview  Communications Systems  Basic Radio Operation  Hospital Communication  Other Radio Communications

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 3 Communications Systems  Made up of many equipment operators and pieces of equipment  The public accesses emergency services through a central point, usually by dialing  Effective communication is necessary to rapidly access, treat, and transport the patient to definitive care

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 4 Communications Systems  Communications specialist –Formerly known as the dispatcher –Facilitates communications between public, EMS personnel, and hospital staff –Interrogates caller to determine the number and types of units needed

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 5 Communications Systems  Communications specialist –Provides prearrival instructions to caller –Radio dispatch facilitated by computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system –Uses CAD to keep track of units in service

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 6

7 Communications Systems  Radio systems: Two-way radio –Core of most emergency service communications systems –A wireless electronic device that permits the transmission and receipt of messages between distant radio receivers

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 8 Communications Systems  Radio systems: Radio signal –Created by base station –Transmitted from a radio tower via an antenna

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 9 Communications Systems  Radio signal impacted by many factors –Dense foliage –Large buildings –Curvature of the earth

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 10 Communications Systems  Mobile radios –Can be mounted in a vehicle Transmits at a lower power than base stations (20-50 watts) Less transmission range (10-15 miles)

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 11 Communications Systems  Mobile radios –Ambulances equipped with mobile radios can be dispatched from the streets –Repeater used if there is much interference from buildings or a long distance between the mobile radio and base station

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 12

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 13 Communications Systems  Portable radios –Small handheld –Power output of 1 to 5 watts –Limited range

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 14 Communications Systems  Radio array –Simplex radios: receives or transmits, but not at the same time –Duplex radios: receives and transmits at the same time –Multiplex radios: used telemetry to send ECG tracings to a base station hospital

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 15 Communications Systems  Radio frequencies –Early radios: amplitude modulation (AM) –Modern radios: frequency modulation (FM)

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 16 Communications Systems  Radio frequencies –Frequencies measured in megahertz (MHz) –Many radio frequencies in the radio spectrum: VHF (very-high frequency) UHF (ultra-high frequency)

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 17 Communications Systems  Federal Communications Commission (FCC) –Controls the airwaves Allocates radio frequencies Licenses base stations Issues call signs Monitors radio operations

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 18 Communications Systems  Radio channels –Dispatch frequency reserved for communications between EMS units and the communications center –Select tactical channel on scene for non- dispatch-related radio traffic

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 19 Communications Systems  Radio channels –Some communities have preset tactical channels that all EMS units switch to when on scene –Hospital communications are usually on a dedicated frequency to permit privacy and no interruptions

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 20 Communications Systems  Computers and radios –Trunked lines use computers to assist radios Allows for priority messages to be transmitted on any available frequency Diverts or delays lower-priority messages to an available channel

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 21 Communications Systems  Telephones –Separate dedicated telephone lines facilitate EMT access –Generally installed either in the communications center or the base hospital –Often used by emergency physicians to give EMTs medical orders

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 22 Communications Systems  Cellular phones –Actually low-powered duplex radios –Cell phone callers are mobile, so the communications center cannot locate the caller –Scanners can pick up cell phone conversations

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 23 Communications Systems  Digital technology –Converts messages into digitally coded signals, then transmits them at a very high speed  Satellite telephones –Low-earth orbiting satellites communication is now possible where cellular service may be poor or nonexistent

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 24 Stop and Review  What is the role of the communications specialist?  What is the role of the FCC?

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 25 Basic Radio Operation  Familiarize yourself with the radio  Be brief and concise  Avoid rambling and disjointed messages

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 26 Basic Radio Operation  Before pressing Transmit, make sure no one else is talking  Press to talk, wait 2 seconds, and speak slowly and clearly

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 27 Basic Radio Operation  Radio procedures –“You first, then me” approach –Use plain English –Avoid 10 codes

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 28 Basic Radio Operation  Radio procedures –Profanity is unacceptable FCC can suspend licenses for use of profanity –Conserve airtime

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 29 Basic Radio Operation  Standard nomenclature –“Stand by” pauses the conversation with other party staying near the radio –“Affirmative” or “negative” rather than “yes” or “no” –“Over”: done with statement

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 30 Basic Radio Operation  Standard nomenclature –Identifier + “Clear”: done with communications –State numbers individually: “Five zero” instead of “fifty”

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 31  Consult –Confer about the patient’s condition and obtain any directions or orders the physician may have for patient care Hospital Communication

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 32 Hospital Communication  Alert emergency department of your impending arrival –Most common report –Concise—given in less than 30 seconds –Follow local protocols to initiate radio contact with the ED

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 33 Hospital Communication  Alert report –Once contact is confirmed, proceed with Unit identifier Age, sex, weight (kg) Chief complaint Mental status (AVPU) Vital signs Treatment in progress Estimated time of arrival (ETA)

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 34 Elements of a Radio Report Consultation Item of InfoAlert ReportReport Unit IDARCR Level of providerCR Patient’s age and sexARCR Chief complaintARCR Brief history of present illnessCR Relevant past illnessesCR Mental statusARCR Vital signsARCR Pertinent findings on physical examCR Treatments in progressARCR Patient’s response to care providedCR Estimated time of arrivalARCR

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 35 Hospital Communication  Medical consultation report –Most of an EMT’s instructions for medical care are written in a set of orders called protocols –Patients who fall outside the protocols require on- line medical control

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 36 Hospital Communication  Medical consultation report –Alerts doctor to the impending arrival of a complex patient –Provides doctor with advanced knowledge of patient’s condition so she can prepare more adequately –Helps doctor give patient-specific medical orders that may ease the patient’s complaint or improve his condition

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 37 Hospital Communication  Medical consultation report –Accepting a medical order Use echo technique to confirm order Three-step technique If unsure of the order –Do not accept the order –Question the order if necessary

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 38 Other Radio Communications  Always make the dispatcher aware of the location of each in-service unit so he can most efficiently dispatch units to calls  Keep the dispatcher informed of the status of the emergency call throughout its course  Consult local protocols regarding notifications

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 39 Stop and Review  What are the elements of a medical consultation report?