Purpose Statement

The Custom Other Questions feature within EMS Setup allows administrators to create agency-specific alphanumeric text fields that capture additional information not covered by standard NEMSIS data elements. This functionality enables departments to tailor ePCR documentation to local protocols, state requirements, or organizational reporting needs while maintaining NEMSIS compliance and supporting comprehensive patient care documentation.

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Background Information

Custom Other Questions provide flexibility for Fire and EMS agencies to extend ePCR documentation beyond standard NEMSIS elements. These questions use the Other data type, creating free-text alphanumeric fields that allow providers to enter narrative responses, identifiers, or codes required by local or state protocols.

Key capabilities include:

• Optional, recommended, required, or mandatory usage levels

• XML export support for state reporting

• Recurrence for capturing multiple responses

• Placement within existing datasets or custom subsections for optimal workflow organization

This feature is ideal for capturing agency-specific data without compromising national reporting standards.

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Required Permissions

The following permission is required to access and configure Custom Other Questions:

• EMS Setup – Manage

  • Located in the ePCR Setup permissions group

  • Typically assigned to system administrators or EMS configuration managers

Users without this permission cannot add or edit custom questions.

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Video

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1. Navigate to EMS Setup

• Navigate to Incident Documentation

• Click EMS Setup
   

2. Access Custom Elements

• Select the Custom Elements section
   

3. Add a Custom Question

• In the Custom Questions subsection, click Add
   

4. Identify Required Fields

• Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*)
   

5. Enter a Custom Element ID

• Enter a Custom Element ID

  • This is a unique identifier for the question

  • May come from a state NEMSIS dataset (e.g., emsa.E1)

  • Or be defined by your agency
     

6. Enter the Question Title

• In the Title field, enter the text that providers will see in the ePCR
   

7. Select Data Type

• From the Data Type dropdown, select Other

  • This creates an alphanumeric free-text response field
     

8. Configure Recurrence

• Set Recurrence to Yes if the question may need to be answered multiple times within a single ePCR
   

9. Configure XML Export

• Choose whether to include this custom element in the XML Export:

  • Yes – Included in exports for state reporting

  • No – Excluded from XML exports
     

10. Configure Usage

• From the Usage dropdown, select one of the following:

  • Mandatory

  • Required

  • Recommended

  • Optional

• If Required or Recommended is selected:

  • You can configure Not Values

11. Configure Not Values

• Select applicable Not Values from the dropdown
   

12. Configure Pertinent Negatives

• Select any Pertinent Negatives that apply to this question
   

13. Enter a Definition

• Enter a Definition for internal reference and tracking
   

14. Configure Question Placement (Path)

• In the Path section, choose one of the following:

  • Add to Custom Subsection

  • Add to a Data Set and specify placement after an existing field
     

15. Add to a Custom Subsection (Optional)

• If Add to Custom Subsection is selected:

  • Use the dropdown to select the appropriate subsection

• Reference EMS Setup - ePCR Sections for creating custom subsections
   

16. Select Data Set (If Applicable)

• If adding to a data set, select one of the following:

  • DEMDataSet – Compares against state-specific demographics

  • EMSDataSet – Compares against national NEMSIS standards
     

17. Select After Field

• Use the After Field dropdown to define where the question appears within the ePCR

 

18. Configure Value Constraints

• Define:

  • Minimum and maximum character limits

  • Default values (if applicable)

• Notes:

  • Default Not Values can only be set if Usage is Required or Recommended

  • Default Pertinent Negatives can be set when configured
     

19. Save the Custom Question

• Click Add to save and create the new Custom Other Question
   

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