Purpose Statement
This article explains how to create a Med Kit and configure its pouches within the Medications module. Administrators can define kit information, controlled substance security requirements, count settings, pouch organization, Medication Forms, and minimum inventory warnings.
Background Information
Med Kits are used to organize and manage medications stored in apparatus, ambulances, stations, and other operational locations. Each Med Kit requires a Kit Name and a unique Kit ID and may include additional information such as the manufacturer, model, location, service status, and controlled substance settings.
When a Med Kit is created, the system automatically adds a Main Pouch. The Main Pouch is identified as the Default location and receives medications that have not been configured for another pouch.
If no Medication Forms are assigned to specific pouches, medications received or transferred into the Med Kit are placed in the Main Pouch by default. Administrators may also create and name additional pouches so personnel can select a destination pouch during receiving and transfer workflows.
The Location field displays apparatus compartments, kit pouches, and storage locations configured in the Assets module. This field is a location reference only and does not synchronize inventory between the Assets and Medications modules.
Required Permissions
Users need the following permissions for the Medication Kit List:
- Read
- Update
- Create
- Delete
The following permission is optional:
- Archive Med Kits — Required only for users who need to archive Med Kits.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Open the Med Kit List
- Select the First Due logo in the upper-left corner.
- Open the Medications module.
- Select Med Kit List.
- Select New Med Kit.
The New Med Kit window opens on the General Info tab.
2. Enter the Kit Name and Kit ID
Complete the two required fields:
- Kit Name — Identifies the type or purpose of the Med Kit. Multiple Med Kits can use the same Kit Name, allowing agencies to apply a consistent naming convention to similar kits.
- Kit ID — Uniquely identifies the individual Med Kit. Each Kit ID must be different.
For example, several kits may use the Kit Name Engine ALS Bag, while the Kit ID identifies the apparatus or unit assigned to each physical kit.
3. Complete the Optional Kit Information
Enter any applicable optional information to further configure med kit:
Manufacturer/Model
The Manufacturer and Model fields may be used to support inventory, purchasing, and replacement tracking.
Location
Use Location to associate the Med Kit with an apparatus compartment, kit pouch, or storage location from the Assets module.
Important Note:
Selecting a kit pouch here does not replace the pouch configuration completed on the Pouches tab.
In Service Date
Input the desired In Service Date to further support inventory, purchasing, and replacement tracking.
4. Configure the Kit's Service Status
Use the In Service toggle to identify whether the Med Kit is currently available for use.
If applicable, enter the In Service Date. The date may be backdated when adding existing kits to the system.
If your agency requires Out of Service Reasons in Medication Setup, disabling In Service displays additional fields requiring an out-of-service reason and comments. These fields do not appear when that setting is not enabled.
5. Configure Controlled Substance Security
By default, the Kit Type is displayed as Non Controlled.
If the Med Kit contains controlled substances:
- Enable Controlled Substances Kit.
- Select a security method:
- Use Lock
- Use Seals
- If Use Seals is selected, enter the # Of Seals used to secure the kit.
Enabling Controlled Substances Kit changes the Kit Type and adds a controlled substance indicator to applicable Med Kit views.
The security methods function differently:
- Use Lock does not track individual seal numbers during medication workflows. A count is not required solely because the kit uses a lock.
- Use Seals requires users to document the applicable seal numbers when seals are broken during workflows such as medication usage, transfers, removals, or counts. When a seal is broken to perform an action, the user must complete the required count before finishing the workflow.
Non Controlled Substance Kit
Controlled Substance Kit with Seals
Controlled Substance Kit with Locks
6. Configure the Count Requirement
Enable Require Count? when the Med Kit must be counted following a med kit action, regardless of whether it is a controlled substance kit.
Important Note:
A Count Scheduler should be configured for the specific Med Kit in Medication Setup to support its scheduled count workflow.
7. Open the Pouches Tab
Select the Pouches tab.
A Main Pouch is automatically displayed as the Default location. This pouch:
- Serves as the default destination for medications.
- Cannot be deleted.
- Can be renamed.
- Can contain configured Medication Forms and minimum quantities.
- Can be expanded or collapsed to provide additional workspace.
Info:
If no other configuration is completed, all medications received or transferred into the Med Kit are placed in the Main Pouch.
8. Rename the Main Pouch (Optional)
To customize the Main Pouch name:
- Select the Edit pencil in the Main Pouch header.
- Enter the new pouch name.
- Select an area outside the text field to save the name.
Renaming the Main Pouch does not change its function as the Med Kit's Default location.
9. Add Additional Pouches (Optional)
To create another pouch:
- Select + Pouch.
- Select the Edit pencil for the new pouch.
- Enter the pouch name.
- Select outside the text field to save it.
Repeat these steps for each additional pouch.
Only manually added pouches display a delete option. The Main Pouch cannot be deleted.
Additional pouches can be created and named without assigning Medication Forms. During receiving or transfer workflows, personnel can then choose the pouch where the medication should be placed.
10. Expand or Collapse Pouches
Select the arrow on the right side of a pouch header to expand or collapse its contents.
Collapsing completed pouches provides more screen space when configuring multiple pouches.
11. Add Medication Forms to a Pouch
To configure an expected medication within a pouch:
- Expand the desired pouch.
- Select + Medication.
- Select a Medication Form from the drop-down.
- Enter the required Min value.
- Repeat for each Medication Form stored in the pouch.
The Medication Form list is populated from the forms created in Medication Setup.
Warning:
A Medication Form can only be assigned to one pouch within a Med Kit. To account for multiple expected quantities of the same Medication Form, configure the appropriate Min value instead of adding the Medication Form multiple times. See Step 12: Set Medication Minimums.
Important Note:
Assigning a Medication Form to a specific pouch causes that medication to be directed to the configured pouch during applicable receiving and transfer workflows. Medication Forms that are not assigned to another pouch continue to default to the Main Pouch.
12. Set Medication Minimums
The Min value defines the minimum quantity expected for the selected Medication Form within that pouch.
When inventory falls below the configured minimum, the system displays a validation warning. This warning acts as an inventory guardrail but does not prevent personnel from completing medication workflows.
Multiple Medication Forms may be added to the same pouch, and each form may have its own minimum value.
13. Reorder Pouches and Medication Forms (Optional)
Warning:
The Reorder button becomes available once the Med Kit contains three or more pouches.
To reorder pouches or Medication Forms:
- Select Reorder.
- Drag and drop custom pouches into the desired order.
- Drag and drop Medication Forms within a pouch to arrange them in the preferred sequence.
- Review the layout from the end user's perspective.
- Select Reorder again to lock in cofinguration.
The pouch identified as the Default location is locked in place and cannot be moved. Only custom pouches can be reordered.
Important Note:
Medication Forms can only be reordered while the Reorder feature is enabled. If you need to change the order of Medication Forms, the Med Kit must contain three or more pouches before the Reorder button becomes available.
3 or more Pouches
2 Pouches or less
14. Reassign Medication Forms to Another Pouch (Optional)
Medication Forms can be reassigned between pouches during Med Kit creation or while editing an existing Med Kit. This allows administrators to reorganize one or multiple Medication Forms without recreating the pouch configuration.
To reassign Medication Forms:
- Expand the pouch containing the Medication Form(s).
- Select the checkbox next to one or more Medication Forms.
- Select Move to Pouch.
- Choose the destination pouch.
- Confirm the move.
The selected Medication Forms are reassigned to the new pouch. Medication Forms may be moved as often as needed to support changes in your agency's pouch organization.
Important Note:
Reassigning a Medication Form also moves its configured Min value to the new pouch. Future medication receiving and transfer workflows use the updated pouch assignment.
14. Save the Med Kit
After completing the General Info and Pouches configuration:
- Review the information and settings.
- Select Save.
The Med Kit and its pouch configuration are then available for receiving, transferring, counting, and managing medication inventory.
Best Practices
- Apply consistent Kit Name conventions across similar Med Kits.
- Use the Kit ID to clearly identify the individual apparatus, station, unit, or physical kit.
- Keep the Location current when a Med Kit is reassigned.
- Confirm that controlled substance security settings match the kit's physical lock or seal process.
- Configure the correct number of seals to avoid unnecessary seal-entry requirements.
- Ensure a Count Scheduler is configured before requiring scheduled counts.
- Use pouch names that match the physical labels personnel see in the field.
- Assign Medication Forms to pouches when consistent automatic placement is preferred.
- Set minimums that reflect operational inventory needs without creating unnecessary warnings.
- Order pouches to match the sequence in which end users locate and access medications.
- Organize both pouch order and Medication Form order to match how personnel access medications during emergency response.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why can't I save the Med Kit?
Verify that both Kit Name and Kit ID are complete. The Kit ID must be unique.
Can multiple Med Kits use the same Kit Name?
Yes. The Kit Name can be shared by multiple Med Kits. Each kit must have its own unique Kit ID.
Why don't I see fields for an Out of Service Reason?
Those fields appear only when your agency has configured Out of Service Reasons as a requirement in Medication Setup.
What is the difference between Use Lock and Use Seals?
Use Lock does not track individual seal numbers. Use Seals requires users to document seal numbers during applicable workflows and complete a count when a seal is broken.
Does Require Count apply only to controlled substance kits?
No. Enabling Require Count? requires a count regardless of the Med Kit type.
Why is the Main Pouch already displayed?
The system automatically creates the Main Pouch as the Med Kit's Default location.
Can I delete the Main Pouch?
No. The Main Pouch cannot be deleted, but it can be renamed and repositioned in the pouch hierarchy.
What happens if I do not configure Medication Forms for the pouches?
Medications can still be received or transferred into the Med Kit. Personnel may select the destination pouch during the workflow. Medications without another configured pouch destination default to the Main Pouch.
Does a minimum warning prevent a user from completing a workflow?
No. The minimum creates a validation warning and inventory guardrail. It does not block the user from completing the medication action.
Why is the Reorder button disabled?
The Reorder button becomes available when three or more pouches exist.
Why can't I reorder my Medication Forms?
The Reorder feature is enabled only when the Med Kit contains three or more pouches. Once enabled, administrators can reorder both custom pouches and the Medication Forms within each pouch. The Default location pouch remains locked in its position and cannot be moved.
Does selecting an Assets location move or synchronize medication inventory?
No. The Location field is a reference only. Inventory remains independently managed within the Medications and Assets modules.