RADIO REPORTS
The MFR, EMT or Paramedic will transmit a radio report on all responded calls, whether the
patient is transported or not. The radio report will be given on-line to Medical Control.
prior to leaving the scene on ALL calls.
Following the Secondary Survey, and the taking of the patient's medical history, a full
radio report will be given. The full report will include all of the following and be given
in the following order:
1. General Information
a. Agency name and unit number
b. Priority of call
c. Number of patients
d. Hospital destination and ETA requested
e. Age and sex of patient(s)
f. Chief complaint
g. History of chief complaint
- Time of incident or onset of symptoms
- Mechanism of injury or precipitating factors
2. Patient History
a. Pertinent Past Medical History (PMH)
b. Pertinent Past Surgical History (PSH)
c. Medications (if appropriate)
- Pertinent prescription and non prescription
medications
- Medications recently taken for current chief
complaint
3. Physical Exam
a. Mental status
b. Vital signs
- Heart rate and rhythm
- Respiratory rate and pattern
- Blood pressure
- Pulse Oximetry (if available)
- Glucometer (if indicated and if available)
c. Head, eyes, ears, nose and throat (HEENT)
d. Cardiopulmonary
- Auscultation of heart
- Pulses
- Auscultation of lungs
- Examination of chest
e. Abdomen and pelvis
f. Extremities and skin
g. Neurologic
4. Treatment
a. Treatment rendered prior to unit's arrival
b. Treatment rendered by EMS personnel
c. Treatment requested.
If a patient requires immediate/rapid transport due to severe injury/illness, a short
report may be given to Medical Control from the scene. A full report must then be given
during transport to the hospital after additional information is obtained. The short
report will include all of the following:
1. General Information - as above
(History of chief complaint may be brief)
2. Physical exam
a. Mental status
b. Vital signs
- Report what is available at that time
c. Brief description of injury/illness
3. Treatment
a. Treatment in progress
b. Treatment requested
Important Points:
1. Always key microphone before speaking.
2. Speak clearly.
3. Stop frequently to confirm you transmission is being received.
4. Identify yourself/unit.
5. Always repeat back any/all treatment and medication orders.
6. Always be professional - no jokes or sarcasm. Remember, every one with a radio is
listening.
7. Keep reports short yet concise.
8. Never give a patient's name (or initials) over the radio.
9. Always identify patient priority at beginning of report.
10. Switch to a land line to discuss personal or sensitive issues.
11. Radio checks should be performed every morning (including telemetry).
12. Reports of patients who wish to sign off against medical advice must be given prior to
leaving the scene.
13. Any disagreement/discrepancy regarding hospital destination must be reported to and
discussed with the on-line physician prior to transport.
14. If an ALS unit does not respond or transport, the BLS or MFR unit must give a radio
report to Medical Control.
The hospital will make clear that the transmission has been received and understood.
Instructions may be given at that time, further information or clarification may be
requested, or termination of hospital transmission may be affected. |