Chapter 18 Radio. © 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 2 Overview Communications Systems Basic

Chapter 18Radio

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

Overview

Communications Systems Basic Radio Operation Hospital Communication Other Radio Communications

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Communications Systems

Made up of many equipment operators and pieces of equipment

The public accesses emergency services through a central point, usually by dialing 9-1-1

Effective communication is necessary to rapidly access, treat, and transport the patient to definitive care

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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

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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

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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

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Radio systems: Radio signal – Created by base station– Transmitted from a radio tower via an antenna

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Radio signal impacted by many factors – Dense foliage– Large buildings– Curvature of the earth

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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)

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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

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Portable radios– Small handheld– Power output of 1 to 5 watts– Limited range

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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

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Radio frequencies– Early radios: amplitude modulation (AM)– Modern radios: frequency modulation (FM)

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Radio frequencies– Frequencies measured in megahertz (MHz)– Many radio frequencies in the radio spectrum:

• VHF (very-high frequency) • UHF (ultra-high frequency)

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Federal Communications Commission (FCC)– Controls the airwaves

• Allocates radio frequencies• Licenses base stations• Issues call signs• Monitors radio operations

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Stop and Review

What is the role of the communications specialist?

What is the role of the FCC?

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Basic Radio Operation

Familiarize yourself with the radio Be brief and concise Avoid rambling and disjointed messages

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Before pressing Transmit, make sure no one else is talking

Press to talk, wait 2 seconds, and speak slowly and clearly

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Radio procedures– “You first, then me” approach– Use plain English – Avoid 10 codes

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Radio procedures– Profanity is unacceptable

• FCC can suspend licenses for use of profanity

– Conserve airtime

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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

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Standard nomenclature– Identifier + “Clear”: done with communications– State numbers individually: “Five zero” instead

of “fifty”

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Consult– Confer about the patient’s condition and obtain

any directions or orders the physician may have for patient care

Hospital Communication

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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

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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)

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Elements of a Radio Report

Consultation Item of Info Alert Report ReportUnit ID AR CRLevel of provider CRPatient’s age and sex AR CRChief complaint AR CRBrief history of present illness CRRelevant past illnesses CRMental status AR CRVital signs AR CRPertinent findings on physical exam CRTreatments in progress AR CRPatient’s response to care provided CREstimated time of arrival AR CR

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Stop and Review

What are the elements of a medical consultation report?

Documents

Chapter 18 Radio. © 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 2 Overview Communications Systems Basic