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Chapter 4- Communication and Documentation (There are 2 forms of questions…
Chapter 4- Communication and Documentation
Documentation in EMS is crucial in the line of services they provide medically.
Documentation helps to keep track of patient asessment's, PCRs, and as well in reports to Dr's an hospital staff.
Documentation helps to record all findings on paper, as well as all treatments taken for patients.
To have documentation in the EMS world is to services on paper or electronically. Services of the duties taken by the EMT or paramedic. Anything done to or for the patient.
There are 2 forms of questions you can use to ask patients. Which are closed-ended questions, which are to be answered in very show words and details. Or open-ended questions where very specific details an facts are to be said.
For example for a patient who is struggling to breathe and can barely catch a breath it may be smart to lead with a closed ended question so that the patient can give hopefully a one worded answer to your question.
When talking to a patient is important develops the patients trust with you. When you approach them, introduce yourself by your name and address the patient by theirs. Don't move suddenly but slowly. Lower your body down to their level so that you aren't standing above them. Speak in words that they can understand. Never lie to a patient by saying this isen't going to hurt. That ruins their trust in you. All these develop rapport with the patient, and makes for a smooth positive process.
As a EMT you may come across certain patients and certain situations where you are just there for emotional support for that patient.
Radios will vary between both portable and mobile to allow communication with a ambulance in the field and dispatch. Used also to contact medical control while out in the field.
A repeater is a station that can signal on a frequency and receive a message as well.
(FCC) is the Federal Communications Commission purpose is to regulate interstate and international communications through satelite, t.v., radio, cable, and wire. It began in 1974.It helps to promote connectivity among those in EMS.
It's always best to remenber you represent as a medical care professional. So you should always speak and communicate in a professional manner.
Patient and EMT/Paramedic comunications helps to serve a functioning/progressive workplace.
Communication is key to hearing, speaking, and understanding.
Communication can come in either nonverbal or verbal expressions. Even through body language, like when your trying to communicate with a patient who might be deaf. Body language is one of those ways to communicate.
Through communications it helps to have various ways of communication. Such as through radios, phones, or internet.
With body language you can use your hands, eyes, mouth to sound out words, or even by using various facial expressions to communicate.
There are things to be mindful of when you are trying to communicate. Like the age of the patient, or the gender, maybe even the ethnicity of the patient because they may not speak very good or no english at all. Observe how the patient may be in position as well.
As a EMT its good to be mindful of the fact that not everyone shares the same worldly views as you might. Different cultures have different beliefs. Never consider your views more important, just because someone else's are different. That's considered Ethnocentrism.
Helps to make eye contact with the patient, but try not to stare that can make the patient feel uncomforable.
Now just because you believe in something and you are whole heartlydly sure of it, you should respect that other people may not feel the same way as you do. So don't try to bully your beliefs on patients who just because you may think personally your beliefs and values are more important then theirs. That is known as cultural imposition,
Facial expressions can always help to let a EMT know maybe the state of how a patient is feeling. Such as a angry expression, or sad face, or laughing and smiling hysterically are all examples.
Depending on the culture of a patient sometimes you may not know how close is too close. Some religions are very strict in some ways. Like for example muslims do not allow other men to barely look at their woman. In that kind of case they may request only a female EMT help treat their family.
Also when you come across a patient who is hard of hearing or is deaf there are other ways to communicate with that patient then just body language. You can offer a pen and paper for them to write down on to help you understand what is wrong with them? You can read lips and mouth the words to the patients. Most hearing impaired people can read lips rather well. Don't scream or try to shout at the patient you may scare them.
Some patients may have service animals to help them. You are to transport the service dog along with the patient.
It helps to practice one word signs for sign language. Such as "hurt" or "sick" so that may give you a better understanding of how the patient is feeling.
Communicating with other health care officials it is cruical to give detailed and accurate patient reports when transfering services over of the patient.
Pertinent patient information such as last known vitals, current medications, allergic to any medications, past medical history, chief of complaint, mechanism of injury, and any other detailed information that applies to the patient.
Documentation of refusal of care is a must. It must be included in your PCR that the patient refused care.
Communication is also done through what is called a Base Station. Which allows dispatch to be able to communicate with all units in the field. The base station serves as the place for the dispatch to work from.
A channel varies in frequency of use for different units in the medical field. Not everyone communicates on the same channel.
A dedicated line on a frequency is for the purpose of a particular call to be held between a field unit and dispatch. Made to be more private from a regular channel. Purposely to for a specific contact to contact in the field.
High frequencies that range from 300-3,000MHz are (UHF) ultra high frequencies.
Frequencies that range in from 30-300 MHz can be divided among low and high bands.
(PCR) Patient Care Reports purpose is to document the medical care the patient has received prior to the hospital. It is a legal document. It also keeps information about the patients current medications, or if the patient is allergic to any medications. Past medical history as well. Chief of complaint, GCS scores, mechanism of injury, vitals, and times are all included in a PCR. A narrative describing the details too is needed in a PCR.
A PCR covers the patients care.