MedStar Communications for Hospital Reports

[sadave]

In Baldwin County, how do the MedStar ambulances, as well as Gulf Shores and Orange Beach rescue / transport units, communicate with hospitals for patient reports?

 

[medic9351301]

either cell or first net lte service. they might have a enc talkgroup. due to hipa regs

 

[sadave]

either cell or first net lte service. they might have a enc talkgroup. due to hipa regs

either cell or first net lte service. they might have a enc talkgroup. due to hipa regs

I was actually leaning toward an encrypted talkgroup because there is one on AIRS that is very active. TG 22581 (very active) and 22582 are encrypted but the nearby TGs 22583 and 22585 are in the clear (just haven't been able to hear enough to identify.) Over on the Florida side, med units are still talking to hospitals in the clear.

 

[KG4DRF]

Love how they say encrypted because of hippa, when hippa does not concern radio dispatch calls.

 

[mike36507]

I haven't been able to find this out either, but I have heard MedStar's helicopters AirCare 1 and 2 speaking to USA in Mobile on HEAR 155.34

 

[medic9351301]

as a medic i can say its because doing transfers from one hospital to another hospital / pts name are given.
you said " communicate with hospitals for patient reports"that is not dispatch calls .


How does HIPAA apply to dispatch information and information discussed over the radio?

Generally, these communications are treatment-related disclosures. As long as they're related to treatment, those are generally permissible disclosures under HIPAA. Communications between field units and transporting entities communicating by radio to the hospital-these are all necessary for treatment so those are permitted disclosures. A lot of responders sort of assume they can no longer talk on the radio, which is not at all the case under HIPAA, but they should use discretion. It doesn't require that you build new towers and implement new technology, or that your transmissions be encrypted. There are no such requirements. If it's not necessary to give a name over the radio, just don't give a name. You can still transmit information to field responders and between field responders and other necessary entities when it's necessary for treatment. There really are no restrictions on that.

with that said most prob do chose to encrypt to cya

 

[sadave]

I was to confirm that MedStar communicates via regular cellphone with the hospitals in Baldwin County.

 

[n3obl]

as a medic i can say its because doing transfers from one hospital to another hospital / pts name are given.
you said " communicate with hospitals for patient reports"that is not dispatch calls .


How does HIPAA apply to dispatch information and information discussed over the radio?

Generally, these communications are treatment-related disclosures. As long as they're related to treatment, those are generally permissible disclosures under HIPAA. Communications between field units and transporting entities communicating by radio to the hospital-these are all necessary for treatment so those are permitted disclosures. A lot of responders sort of assume they can no longer talk on the radio, which is not at all the case under HIPAA, but they should use discretion. It doesn't require that you build new towers and implement new technology, or that your transmissions be encrypted. There are no such requirements. If it's not necessary to give a name over the radio, just don't give a name. You can still transmit information to field responders and between field responders and other necessary entities when it's necessary for treatment. There really are no restrictions on that.

with that said most prob do chose to encrypt to cya

They dont have to give a name on a inter hospital transfer.

Before that crew even arrival the destination should already have that info.

Report can be Medflight 2 im inbound with a 67 female from somewhere hospital ***** destination is ICU..
no PHI as long as name , dob or social security number is given.