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Why is it important to notify medical control as soon as practical about your patient's condition?

A. It minimizes the chance that you will forget to contact medical control.
B. It allows the receiving facility more time to prepare for your arrival.
C. It is common courtesy.
D. It provides legal protection as patient care now becomes their responsibility.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Notifying medical control promptly about a patient's condition allows the receiving facility to prepare for the patient's arrival, facilitates critical information exchange for ongoing treatment, and demonstrates professionalism. It can improve patient outcomes and may also provide some legal documentation of the communication process.

Step-by-step explanation:

Notifying medical control as soon as practical about a patient's condition is important for several key reasons. Firstly, rapid communication ensures that the receiving facility has ample time to prepare for the patient's arrival, which may include assembling a specific team, preparing equipment, or making room in an appropriate department such as the Intensive Care Unit.

This can improve patient outcomes significantly as treatments or necessary interventions can be commenced without delay upon arrival. Secondly, notifying medical control allows for an exchange of critical information which can aid in the ongoing treatment during transportation and upon arrival at the facility.

The surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional rely on this communication to review key concerns for the patient's care and recovery. Moreover, early notification may provide legal protections as it documents the hand-off and communication process regarding the patient's condition, though the responsibility for patient care usually remains with the transport team until the patient is physically handed off to the receiving facility's team.

Last but certainly not least, it shows professionalism and courtesy by respecting the workflows and the need for preparedness in the receiving medical facility.

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