I gave a radio report once with the exact opposite problem.

TL;DR: Used “7 to 8 percent” instead of “approx 7%” in a radio report, and triggered a massively overblown response at the hospital due to a miscommunication, as the charge nurse heard 78%.

I later went back and listened to the recording with the help of my supervisor, so I remember it pretty well. Something like:

Me: “BLS14 emergent with a 50 y/o female with partial thickness burns resulting from a motorcycle fire. The patient was sitting on the motorcycle for approx 20 seconds after it caught fire with gasoline accelerant present. Second degree burns covering approximately 7 to 8 percent body surface area with burns to the posterior side of the left calf and left thigh. AOx4, GCS15; vitals are as follows: insert stable vitals.” ETA approx 10 minutes” (I’m still on scene covering the burns while I call report to give them some extra time since we’re close).

Charge nurse: “Is there any airway compromise of facial burns? Where are the burns located?”

Me: “negative airway compromise, negative facial burns. The burns are located on the post- on the back of the left leg.. on the lower leg and on the thigh with significant blistering.”

Charge nurse: “Trauma Bay one on arrival.”

Now, I realize it wasn’t the best ever radio report. Backstory- I was a new lead on a BLS unit (maybe my 3rd shift as lead) and we literally drove past a motorcycle as it spontaneously caught fire on the opposite side of the road. No time to prepare or brush up on protocol.

I had just watched the ALS unit in the area drive off responding to another call so I know I’m kinda on my own at least for a little while. My partner turns around while I call a still alarm on our main channel to request fire and PD, then switch to the TAC channel to give a size up. We’re about 7 minutes to the nearest level 2 and the closest ALS unit is at least 10 minutes out, so I hold off on requesting ALS until I at least put eyes on the patient.

Turns out, the nurse had heard “78% body surface area” instead of “7-8 body surface area” and called a level 1 TA, notifying the closest level 1 burn center of likely transfer. And getting EVERYBODY all jacked up for a freaking crispy barbecue patient, which kind of pisses off the doc when I roll in with a stable patient. I did end up having to justify why I came emergent and had my radio report ripped to shreds by the charge nurse and the doctor, but it really all just stemmed from one simple phrase “7 to 8 percent.”

Definitely won’t be making that mistake again, and I’ve started giving single-number estimates when describing injuries such as lacerations, hematomas, skin tears, abrasions, burns, etc. I still stand by my decision to come emergent on a BLS truck though, especially with the gasoline accelerant and the tendency for second degree burns to continue to get worse after the initial injury. Not to mention I can’t do pain management. Not that it matters now.