POLICY STATEMENT:

EMS Agencies of both EMS Systems communicate with area hospitals on a daily basis. The BroMenn Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, and System Associate hospital's emergency departments have EMS communications equipment and all serve as Medical Control for System participants. To reduce the circumstances that may lead to misinformation or misunderstandings when transmitting patient information and treatment orders, criteria have been developed which comploy with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.

GOAL/PURPOSE:

To assure that appropriate and complete radio communication exists in the BroMenn/St. Joseph EMS Systems.

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

A. Only the precise air time necessary to transfer essential patient care information should be utilized by all EMS providers and at all Medical Control sites, whether on UHF or VHF radio.

B. If it is necessary to transmit UHF telemetry ECG recordings to Medical Control, only short periods of time should be utilized.

C. Medical Control is the designated authority to elicit efficient radio transmissions as circumstances arise.

D. Voice communications must remain professional at all times. Foul language must never be used as it is an illegal act. Do not use slang or other words that may not be commonly spoken in the region.

E. Do not use 10 codes.

F. Any violation of this policy shall be reported to the EMS System immediately and may result in disciplinary action.