HEAR/MED 9/EMS STATEWIDE

[topcop1833]

are these all the same freqs?

 

[BoxAlarm187]

No, they all are different:

EMS Statewide: 155.205 (used to coordinate mutual aid calls and helicopter landings in many areas)

HEAR: 155.340 (used extensively in the Richmond area for ambulances to call the hospital for patient updates, though it's use is diminished somewhat since cell-phones have become more popular)

MED 9: 462.950 (used to coordinate helicopters in the Richmond area, and used in some in the Western VA area to coordinate which other MED channel [1-10] to use for ambulance-to-hospital reports)

Hope this helps... 8)

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

med 9

I have also heard some localities using MED9 for their primary EMS dispatch channel...someone in Tidewater comes to mind, but I forget who right now...

 

[K4APR]

HEAR has all but about been cut off for patient information because its JUST THAT, patient information and the whole thing about confidentiality has been a big issue with that.

Here in Roanoke we have been working with Western VA EMS to help provide backup comms with amateur radio for the hospitals. We quickly found out that we would only be able to pass information like supplies quantites and numbers of available beds. Any patient information is strictly forbidden where it could be publicly heard and since encryption on the amateur bands is a big No-No, thats not an option.

 

[firemedic2150]

It is perfectly OK to give a patient medical report over any radio frequency, just as long as you don't intentionally give out any personal descriptive information that could identify your patient.

Mark Mc.

 

[BoxAlarm187]

The use of HEAR seems to vary by region. It's still used here in Richmond on a regular basis, and as long as no "identifying" patient information is given over the air, there aren't any HIPAA violations. Don't mention the patient's name, date of birth, address, SSN, etc, and you're okay.

"County Hospital, this is Big City Medic 5, enroute to your location with a 45 year old female that was involved in a minor MVA, who's chief complaint is neck pain. Patient was restrained, non-ambulatory prior to our arrival, and has no other complaints..."

A simple HEAR report of this type is not unusual here. However, more serious calls are being handled by cell phone.

 

[KT4HX]

The use of HEAR seems to vary by region. It's still used here in Richmond on a regular basis, and as long as no "identifying" patient information is given over the air, there aren't any HIPAA violations. Don't mention the patient's name, date of birth, address, SSN, etc, and you're okay.

"County Hospital, this is Big City Medic 5, enroute to your location with a 45 year old female that was involved in a minor MVA, who's chief complaint is neck pain. Patient was restrained, non-ambulatory prior to our arrival, and has no other complaints..."

A simple HEAR report of this type is not unusual here. However, more serious calls are being handled by cell phone.

Yeah thats pretty much it around Fredericksburg too. No identifiable info on the patient. Just chatter about the complaints, what happened, vitals, and what if any IV they have them on.

 

[topcop1833]

Thank you all!

 

[derekjmu]

use of 155.340 (HEAR) or 460 MHz MED channels usually coincides with what band that region of VA uses for dispatch and ops.

for example, throughout the shenadoah valley most EMS radio ops are on 400 MHz, so MED 1-10 is used for the most part.

however, travel E of Afton Mtn area to the US 29 Corridor & along US 58 throughout southside VA and most EMS ops are on VHF high band. Also, most ambulance-to-hospital comms are on HEAR.

makes sense, huh?

 

[kc4jgc]

Re: med 9

I have also heard some localities using MED9 for their primary EMS dispatch channel...someone in Tidewater comes to mind, but I forget who right now...

Norfolk was the city; but is no longer used.