Purpose Statement
The Treatments section of the electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) allows EMS personnel to document medical interventions performed during an EMS incident. This includes protocols followed, procedures performed, medications administered, and airway management.
Accurately documenting treatments helps ensure complete patient care records, supports continuity of care, and assists agencies in meeting regulatory and reporting requirements.
Background Information
The Treatments section is an essential component of EMS incident documentation within First Due. It provides a centralized location for recording the medical interventions performed during patient care.
The Treatments section includes four primary documentation areas:
Protocols: Record the treatment protocols followed during the incident, including the applicable patient age category.
Procedures: Document medical procedures performed, including relevant timestamps, outcomes, and other required details.
Medications: Record medications administered during patient care, including required administration information.
Airway: Document airway management, including device use, placement attempts, complications, and successful placements.
Important: The appearance, available selections, and required fields within the Treatments section may vary based on your department's local protocols, system configuration, and documentation requirements.
Required Permissions
Users must have the appropriate permissions to access EMS incidents and document patient care information within the ePCR.
The specific First Due permission names required to access and modify the Treatments section have not been verified.
If you are unable to access the EMS Incident List or edit the Treatments section, contact your department's First Due administrator to confirm your assigned permissions.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Navigate to the Treatments Section
1. From the First Due main dashboard, select Incident Documentation, then EMS Homepage.
2. Select EMS Incident List.
3. Select Add New Incident to create a new incident or choose an existing EMS incident from the list.
4. Once inside the ePCR, locate the sections listed on the left side of the screen.
5. Select Treatments to open the Treatments section.
Step 2: Document Treatment Protocols
1. Within the Treatments section, select Add Protocols.
2. Locate the appropriate protocol from the available selections.
Protocols may appear as selectable buttons.
Select More to access the complete list of available protocols.
Use the protocol search field to narrow the results and locate a specific protocol.
3. Select the appropriate protocol.
4. Choose the applicable age category associated with the selected protocol.
5. Select Save to document the protocol.
6. Repeat these steps to document any additional protocols followed during the incident.
Step 3: Document Procedures
1. Navigate to the Procedures area within the Treatments section.
2. Select Add to document a new procedure.
3. Locate the appropriate procedure using either of the following methods:
Enter the procedure name in the search field to narrow the available options.
Select the bulleted list icon to display the complete list of available procedures.
4. Select the procedure performed.
5. Complete the Procedure Details window, ensuring all required fields are populated.
6. Enter any additional relevant information, including:
Procedure timestamps
Procedure outcomes
Other applicable procedure details
7. Select Save to record the procedure.
8. Repeat these steps for each additional procedure performed during the incident.
Step 4: Document Medications
1. Navigate to the Medications area within the Treatments section.
2. Select Add to begin documenting a medication.
3. Locate the medication using either of the following methods:
Enter the medication name in the search field to narrow the available options.
Select the bulleted list icon to display the complete medication list.
4. Select the appropriate medication from the available options.
5. Complete the Medication Administration information.
6. Ensure all required fields are completed and the information accurately reflects the medication administered.$
7. Complete the medication entry using the available save or confirmation control, if applicable.
8. Repeat these steps for any additional medications administered during patient care.
Step 5: Document Airway Management
1. Navigate to the Airway area within the Treatments section.
2. Document the factors associated with airway device use, including:
Initiation Timestamp: Record when airway management was initiated.
Failures or Complications: Document any unsuccessful attempts or complications associated with airway management.
Indications: Identify the clinical reasons for using the airway device.
3. To document a successful airway placement, select Add.
4. Complete the airway placement information, ensuring all required fields are populated.
5. Review the entered information for accuracy and completeness.
6. Select Save to record the successful airway placement.
Best Practices
- Document treatments accurately: Ensure all protocols, procedures, medications, and airway interventions reflect the care provided during the incident.
- Record accurate timestamps: Verify that treatment times correspond with the actual sequence of patient care.
- Complete all required fields: Review each documentation window before saving to ensure no required information has been omitted.
- Use the search functionality: Take advantage of search fields and the bulleted list icon to quickly locate procedures and medications.
- Document all applicable protocols: If multiple treatment protocols were followed, ensure each applicable protocol is recorded.
- Include relevant outcomes: When documenting procedures and airway management, record applicable outcomes, failures, or complications.
- Follow departmental requirements: Use your agency's established clinical protocols and documentation standards when completing treatment records.
- Review documentation before completing the ePCR: Verify that all interventions performed during patient care have been documented accurately.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why does my Treatments section look different from the training video?
The Treatments section may vary based on your department's configuration, local protocols, and documentation requirements. Available selections and required fields may differ between agencies.
How do I find a protocol that is not displayed as a selectable button?
Select More to access the complete list of available protocols. You can also use the protocol search field to narrow the available selections.
What if I cannot find a specific procedure or medication?
Use the search field to locate the desired item, or select the bulleted list icon to display all available options. If the item is still unavailable, contact your department's First Due administrator to review the configured selections.
Can I document multiple protocols, procedures, or medications for the same incident?
Yes. Repeat the applicable documentation steps to record each additional intervention performed during the incident.
What information should I include when documenting a procedure?
Complete all required fields within the Procedure Details window. Include applicable timestamps, outcomes, and any additional information relevant to the procedure performed.
What should I document if an airway placement attempt was unsuccessful?
Record any applicable failures or complications in the Airway section. Ensure the documentation accurately reflects the airway management performed and follows your department's documentation requirements.
Why am I unable to access or edit the Treatments section?
Your assigned user permissions may not allow access to or modification of EMS incident documentation. Contact your department's First Due administrator to verify your access.
Do I need to document every treatment performed during an incident?
Document all applicable treatments and interventions performed during patient care in accordance with your department's protocols and documentation requirements.