EMS Communications
Radio protocols, medical terminology, and communication procedures for effective EMS operations
Communication Best Practices
Communication Protocols
Radio Communications
Standard radio protocols and procedures
Hospital Notification
Patient report and hospital communication
Dispatch Communications
Communication with dispatch center
Multi-Agency Coordination
Interoperability and unified command
MIST Report Format
Trauma patient handoff
M - Mechanism
How the injury occurred
I - Injuries
Suspected and identified injuries
S - Signs
Vital signs and symptoms
T - Treatment
Interventions provided
SBAR Communication
Structured handoff tool
S - Situation
What is happening right now
B - Background
Relevant patient history
A - Assessment
Your clinical impression
R - Recommendation
What you need/want to happen
Common Radio Codes
Confirm message received
Unable to respond to calls
Available for calls
Please repeat last transmission
Return to base
What is your location?
On scene
Responding to call
No lights or sirens
Lights, no sirens
Lights and sirens
NATO Phonetic Alphabet
For clear spelling over radio communications
Medical Terminology Quick Reference
Patient Condition
Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and event
Glasgow Coma Scale score
Loss of consciousness
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
Vital Signs
Blood pressure
Heart rate/Pulse
Respiratory rate
Oxygen saturation
End-tidal CO2
Blood glucose level
Interventions
Bag-valve mask
Non-rebreather mask
Nasal cannula
Intravenous/Intraosseous
Endotracheal intubation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Effective Communication Tips
- • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
- • Use standard terminology and avoid jargon
- • Confirm critical information by repeating back
- • State unit number at beginning and end of transmission
- • Wait for acknowledgment before proceeding
- • Keep transmissions brief and to the point