ECP240 - EMS Communications Procedures

Outline information
Semester
Schools offering this subject
Last revision date 2023-10-02 00:09:16.714
Last review date 2023-10-19 15:05:08.118

Subject Title
EMS Communications Procedures

Subject Description
Emergency Communicators are often the first persons involved with a medical emergency or incident. Questions asked, decisions made and actions taken by them have a profound influence on the speed, effectiveness and safety of the response and affect the quality of on scene patient care. This subject introduces students to transfer and emergency call reception and protocols, the pre-alert process and requirements of pre-arrival instructions, as well as identifies time regulations and policies governing the collection and assessment of caller information. Students are also introduced to resource management and emergency coverage strategies, assignment of paramedic provider levels and patient distribution rationales.

Credit Status
This is a 911 & Emergency Services Communications Program prescribed credit course.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

  1. Identify the reporting relationships and accountabilities within the operational structure of the Emergency Health Services Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, as well as role of the Base Hospital.
  2. Identify the roles and responsibilities of call-takers and dispatchers.
  3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of medical terminology and its use for gathering patient information during the call-taking and dispatching process.
  4. Explain the need for protocol-based call reception and identify the Dispatch Priority Card Index (DPCI) and Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) systems used by a call-taker to establish call priorities.
  5. Apply the policies and procedures for the collection and assessment of call information, and identify the importance of adhering to the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
  6. Demonstrate the ability to provide appropriate caller pre-arrival instructions in an emergency call scenario.
  7. Define the time requirements for notification and monitoring movement of ambulance resources.
  8. Identify the criteria and steps for selecting the most appropriate ambulance for emergency response.
  9. Describe the Air Ambulance system and outline the procedures for requesting air ambulances on scene.
  10. Integrate EMS communications procedures in practical role-play scenarios.

Academic Integrity
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Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
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Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

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