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EMS Setup- Sections

Purpose Statement

This article explains how administrators customize ePCR sections and subsections in EMS Setup. With custom sections, your agency can organize patient care documentation to match its protocols and reporting requirements. This gives field personnel a logical, consistent workflow and makes electronic Patient Care Reports more complete and standardized.

Background Information

  • What it is: The ePCR Sections tab in EMS Setup controls how the ePCR is organized. You can reorder the default sections and subsections, rearrange fields, and create your own custom sections and subsections.
  • Why it matters: Default sections don't always match every agency's protocols or regional reporting requirements. Custom sections let you capture agency-specific data in a logical order for providers.
  • Common use cases:
    • Adding a section for agency-specific protocols or programs
    • Grouping related custom fields into their own subsection
    • Reordering sections to match how crews document a call
  • Prerequisites:
    • The EMS Setup - Manage permission (see Required Permissions)
    • A plan for the section structure and the custom elements you'll add

Required Permissions

  • EMS Setup - Manage: Allow
    • This permission has a single Allow toggle. Turning it on gives the user full access to configure ePCR sections, subsections and custom elements.

To check or grant access:

  • Click the First Due logo to open the module stack.
  • Select Admin, then select Roles & Permissions.
  • Open the user's role and turn on Allow for EMS Setup - Manage.

Note: Changes to ePCR sections affect every provider who completes an ePCR for your agency.

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Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open ePCR Sections

  • Click the First Due logo to open the module stack.
  • Select ePCR, then click EMS Setup.
  • Select the ePCR Sections tab. 

 

Step 2: Reorder Sections or Subsections

  • Click and drag a section or subsection to its new position.
Reorder the ePCR Sections or Subsections by grabbing and dragging to the new order.
 
 

Step 3: View the Fields in a Subsection

  • Click the eye icon to view the fields in a subsection.
 

Step 4: Move Fields Within a Subsection

  • Drag and drop fields to change their position in the subsection.
  • You can also click the Pencil icon to open the Move box.
 
 

Step 5: Start a Custom ePCR Section

  • Click the + icon to create a custom ePCR section.
  • Note: You can create workflows for custom sections. For details, see EMS Setup - Workflows

 
 

Step 6: Name and Create the Section

  • Enter a name for the new custom section.
  • Click Create.
Give the new custom ePCR Section a name then select Create.
 
 

Step 7: Activate, Deactivate, Edit or Delete a Custom Section

  • To activate: Click the checkmark icon. An active section appears in the ePCR even if it has no custom elements yet.
  • To deactivate: Click the X.
  • To edit: Click the Pencil icon.
  • To delete: Click the Trash Can icon.
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Important Note:

Before you can delete a custom section or subsection, you must delete or move all of the custom elements in it, both active and inactive.

 

Note: You can't deactivate a section that still has active fields. A validation message appears so active fields aren't hidden in the ePCR.

 

 
 

Step 8: Start a Custom Subsection

  • Select the ePCR section where you want the subsection.
  • Click the + icon to create a custom subsection. Subsections can be added to any ePCR section.

 
 

Step 9: Complete the Subsection Fields

  • ePCR Section (required): Filled in with the section you started from. You can change it with the dropdown.
  • Short Name (required): The name shown as the tab inside the custom section.
  • Long Name (optional): The name shown in the subsection. 
When creating custom ePCR subsections there are two required fields along with an optional field to be completed.
  • Use the checkmark to activate the subsection, or the X to deactivate it.
  • You can't deactivate a section that still has active fields. A validation message appears so active fields aren't hidden in the ePCR.
 

Step 10: Open Custom Elements

  • Go to the Custom Elements tab.
  • Click Add.
To add the custom sections to an ePCR navigate to Custom Elements and select Add.
 
 

Step 11: Add an Element to the Custom Subsection

  • Fill in the element's fields.
  • Select the checkbox to add the element to a custom subsection.
  • Use the dropdown to choose the custom section for the element.
  • For details, see EMS Setup - Custom Elements
     
Select the checkbox to add the custom subsections and using the dropdown to select which custom section to apply the element to.
 
 

Step 12: Check the ePCR

  • Open an ePCR.
  • Confirm that the custom section and its subsections appear.

Best Practices

Do:

  • Plan your section structure before you create custom sections, to avoid a lot of reorganizing later.
  • Use clear, descriptive names for sections and subsections.
  • Keep naming consistent across all custom sections.
  • Leave new sections and subsections deactivated until their custom elements are added, so providers don't see empty tabs.
  • Test custom sections with sample data before rolling them out to field personnel.
  • Review the section order regularly based on how crews actually document calls.
  • Record your custom sections for training and staff reference.

Don't:

  • Don't deactivate a section that still has active fields.
  • Don't create sections that duplicate default sections.

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • Trying to delete a section before moving or deleting its custom elements, including inactive ones
  • Activating a section or subsection before its custom elements are ready. It appears in the ePCR right away, even if it's empty.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why can't I delete a custom section? You must first delete or move all of its custom elements, both active and inactive, to another section.

Why can't I deactivate a section? The section still has active fields. Move them or deactivate them first, so they aren't hidden in the ePCR.

My custom section shows up in the ePCR, but it's empty. Active sections and subsections appear in the ePCR even when they have no custom elements. Deactivate the section with the X until you've added its elements.

Can I change the order of sections after I create them? Yes. Drag and drop sections and subsections into a new order at any time.

Can I add workflows to custom sections? Yes. See EMS Setup - Workflows for instructions.

I can't see EMS Setup or the ePCR Sections tab. Your role may not have access. Ask an administrator to turn on Allow for EMS Setup - Manage in Admin > Roles & Permissions.