California CEMSIS Schematron Update – Medications & Procedures (Effective May 1, 2026)

• Link to Full Knowledge Base Article here:  California CEMSIS Schematron Update

• What – California EMSA is enforcing updated CEMSIS schematron validation rules effective May 1, 2026, requiring all ePCR submissions to use state-approved Medications (RXCUI/RxNorm) and Procedures (SNOMED CT) values. Any records containing non-approved values will fail export, making it necessary for agencies to review, update, and align their configurations with the official CEMSIS-approved lists. This update introduces new enforcement specifically for Medications and Procedures, expanding on existing validation rules already applied to other data elements.
• Why – This change ensures standardized, compliant data submission across agencies and improves the accuracy and reliability of statewide reporting. By enforcing the use of approved value sets, it reduces inconsistencies caused by agency-specific terminology and prevents submission failures that can delay reporting. It also supports better interoperability and alignment with state data requirements while maintaining flexibility for agencies to preserve internal naming conventions through mapped values.
• How –
  • Navigate to EMS Setup → Field Customization
  • Review Medication Name and Procedure Name values against the CEMSIS-approved list
  • Inactivate any non-approved values (do not delete if previously used)
  • (Optional) Create mapped custom values via EMS Setup → Custom Elements → Custom Values for NEMSIS Questions
    • Select Data Set: EMSDataSet
    • Choose Field: Medication Name or Procedure Name
    • Assign a Master Value (approved CEMSIS value)
    • Add a Selectable Value (agency-specific label)
    • Enter a unique Reported Code
  • Return to Field Customization and activate new custom values
  • Update configurations in Protocols → Medication Details or Protocols → Treatment Details
  • Review workflows for warnings and open/save to refresh logic if needed
  • Note: Inactivated values may still appear in workflows and must be updated or re-saved to clear warnings
• Use Case – An agency currently uses internal medication names that do not match CEMSIS-approved terminology. To remain compliant without disrupting workflows, the administrator maps each internal label to the closest approved CEMSIS value using custom values. Field personnel continue selecting familiar terms, while the system reports the correct standardized codes during export, ensuring successful submission and maintaining operational efficiency.