Vanderbilt Emergency Medicine

All patient arrivals to the Emergency Department should be preceded by a patient report given via radio to the Vanderbilt LifeFlight Communications Center.  Mobile or cell phone calls are not acceptable.  

All radio communications at Vanderbilt flow thru the LifeFlight Communications Center; who in turn routes them to the appropriate receiving area. 

• Note: all radio and phone traffic is digitally recorded.  Certain areas in and around the Medical Center are monitored by audio/video systems for oversight and quality assurance purposes.

The Vanderbilt LifeFlight Communications Center also serves as Nashville Medcom; the Regional Medical Communications Center.

An RMCC is a state designated communications entity with a regional mission and focus that coordinates hospitals, ambulance services and other medical resources, in real time, to optimize emergency patient care in situations where local governments and health care providers request assistance.  For more information on Nashville Medcom go to (medcom link)

Radio Reports

A radio report should be called in 10 – 15 minutes prior to arrival

EMS radio reports should be brief (30-45 seconds)

Focus on pertinent information only; you will be asked for a full report at the bedside

Notify recipient if the patient is requiring any assistance maintaining their airway or ventilatory needs.

Core Patient Care Issues

Patients should not enter the department with weapons or hazardous materials on their person.  If the patient’s condition does not permit you to search or decontaminate the patient prior to arrival let the Emergency Department staff know.

All patients should be covered with a blanket or sheet

All critically ill or injured patients should have appropriate oxygen and monitoring devices on and functioning. 

Discussion

The Emergency Department is a busy place; it operates at a very high occupancy rate.   Bed and room space are at a premium; it is imperative that Emergency Department staff receive timely warning of incoming patients.   This needs to be done via radio to the communications center in order to maintain consistency.