Radio Communications PDF

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PARA 1500 Patient Care Theory 911 Services in Canada • There are 3 levels of 911 services Canada wide. • Basic: Caller in connected with a 911 call center, the caller must provide his or her location, then they are connected with the appropriate services. • Enhanced: Caller...

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS PARA 1500 Patient Care Theory 911 Services in Canada • There are 3 levels of 911 services Canada wide. • Basic: Caller in connected with a 911 call center, the caller must provide his or her location, then they are connected with the appropriate services. • Enhanced: Caller is connected with a 911 call center, the phone number and location of the caller are automatically provided to the 911 operator. • Next Generation 911(NG9-1-1): Provides the same services are the enhanced system, but also allows callers to communicate using text messages as well as the transmission of photos and videos. 2 911 Services and cell phones • 911 Services will work with all mobile phones, even without sim cards or a service provider. The nearest available service provider will automatically connect you to 911 services. • Most smart phones now have emergency SOS features which can activate 911, and also have emergency health information that can be accessed. 3 911 Services and cell phones • 911 Services can pinpoint your location using the GPS function of smart phones. It is accurate within 50-300 meters. • If there is no GPS function on your phone, the 911 call center can triangulate your location using nearby cell towers. 4 Phase in Paramedic Communications • ACCESS/NOTIFICATION – Communication between party needing help and dispatcher – Via public telephone – Via non-public telephone or radio from fire, police Phase in Paramedic Communications • DISPATCH – Alert personnel and direct to scene – Radio paging, telephone, pagers and text based communication. Phase in Paramedic Communications • COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN DISPATCH AND EMS UNIT – En route – On-scene – Departure from scene – Arrival at receiving facility – Transfer or care (TOC) Phase in Paramedic Communications • COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN DISPATCH AND EMS UNIT – Assistance with mechanical or navigational problem – Immediate assistance or information from police, fire, or highway department – General coordination of units Phase in Paramedic Communications • COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN EMS UNIT AND HOSPITAL/PHYSICIAN – Early alert of hospital to incoming patients – On-line medical direction – Diversion to specialized health care facilities Phase in Paramedic Communications • COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOSPITALS – Direct link for medical resources and patient transfers – Back-up communications link Phase in Paramedic Communications • COMMUNICATIONS WITH SUPPORT AGENCIES – Through dispatch centers – Directly between field units – Includes fire, police and air ambulance Phase in Paramedic Communications • COORDINATION WITH OTHER COMMUNICATION NETWORKS – – – – Amateur radio Citizen’s band Commercial broadcast Business radio Central Ambulance Communication Centers (CACC) • Control all radio communications • Specific radio frequencies for use by EMS providers as allotted through MOHLTC and the Federal Government • All ambulances have 4 digit identifiers i.e. 4123, 4220, 4354 Paramedic Communications Components • BASE STATION - CACC – Transmitter/Receiver at fixed location – Used for dispatch, coordination, medical control – Geography/Terrain influence installation – Power output is 42-275 watts – Multi-channel bases can receive on all channels simultaneously but can transmit on only one channel at a time Paramedic Communications Components • MOBILE TRANSMITTER/RECEIVERS – Physically mounted in vehicles – Power output is 20-50 watts – Range is 10-12 miles over average terrain • decreases in mountainous areas, areas with large buildings • increases on water or flat terrain – All mobiles in local system have multiple channel capacity – Some services use tablet based communication. Paramedic Communications Components • PORTABLE TRANSMITTER/RECEIVERS – Hand-held - “walkietalkie” – Range limited by low output power – May be single or multichannel – May be designed to retransmit through mobile unit to increase range – Best signal quality antenna perpendicular Paramedic Communications Components • REPEATERS – Extend range of mobile and portable units – Receive signal on one frequency and retransmit it on second frequency at higher power – May be fixed or mobile Approved 10 Codes • 10-3 All Vehicles stop Transmitting • 10-4 Acknowledged • 10-6 Busy-Stand by unless Urgent • 10-7 Arrived(or OUT of Service) • 10-8 Departed (or IN service) • 10-9 Repeat last Transmission • 10-13 Unable to reply (Relative near by etc) • 10-19 Return to Base • 10-20 What is your Location? Often just, “What your 20?) • • • • • • • • • • • • 10-21 Phone by Landline or Cellular 10-25 Non-Violent Psychiatric Patient 10-26 Call is cancelled 10-27 Hostage Taking or SWAT Standby 10-34 Whats the Hospital status 10-36 Emergency is CLOSED (Critical care Bypass) 10-37 Emergency is OPEN to Code 3's only (ReDirect Considerations) 10-38 Emergency is CLEAR 10-50 Violent Psychiatric Patient 10-100 Bomb Threat 10-200 Have Police Attend (often abbreviated to 10-2's) 10-2000 Send Police IMMEDIATELY TRANSMITTING INFORMATION • Use standard medical terminology – If you don’t know the word, use plain English • Repeat all orders – if you are uncertain about what the physician said or you think an order is incorrect, ask him/her to repeat the order 10-2000 Alarms • 10-2000 alarms are used for paramedic safety, and must be used with the greatest of discretion. • Activated through buttons located in either the front or back of the truck, or on the portable radios themselves. • Once activate dispatched is notified immediately, and will broadcast on the air “all vehicles 10-3 for 10-2000”. • Then your truck number will be called “vehicle 4570 104”, no other information should be asked. • If you do not reply with the verbatim response “Dispatch vehicle 4570 10-2000 Alpha Charlie” the police are sent immediately to assist you. • This is your panic, I need police help right now button. TRANSMITTING INFORMATION • Avoid on-going transmissions – Stop talking every minute and assure that the receiving station has copied • Use a standard format for reporting patient information report the same way, every time TRANSMITTING INFORMATION • If a standard format is not used . – all the essential information is not provided – time is wasted – patient care is delayed while the hospital attempts to get needed information – frustration will result PRESENTING INFORMATION • IDENTIFY YOURSELF – “Ottawa, call 4123 or Medic 23 – (depending on local protocols) - State Priority of Vehicle and CTAS level • IDENTIFY PATIENT – Age, sex, and weight (no names) Receiving hospital patches Pearls of wisdom • All communication with dispatch is recorded, whether it is on the radio or phone. • Paramedic radio frequencies can be monitored easily by everyone. Be cautious about the transmission of sensitive information. • The use of profane language on the radio is a severe offense. • Rural 911 numbering system: 200 house number per kilometer. • Be nice to the dispatchers!!!!