Purpose Statement

This article explains how ePCR users can continue documenting patient care when an internet connection is available but too slow to provide a reliable experience.

When configured by the agency, ePCR can automatically treat a degraded or slow connection as offline. This allows users to continue working from information available on their device without waiting for an unreliable network connection.

This functionality applies only to ePCR. Other First Due modules continue to use the available network connection normally.

Background Information

Field personnel frequently work in areas where cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity may be technically available but too slow for dependable use.

Previously, ePCR recognized a complete loss of connectivity and could transition to offline functionality. However, when a connection was still present but severely degraded, ePCR continued attempting to operate online. This could result in:

• Delayed or unresponsive saves
• Slow loading of ePCR information
• Workflows that appeared to freeze while waiting for the network
• Difficulty reliably documenting from information already available on the device

The Degraded Connection Offline enhancement allows ePCR to treat a slow connection similarly to an offline connection. This helps users continue documenting without waiting for an unreliable network response.

Requirements

Before this functionality can be used:

• Offline Documentation must be enabled for the agency.
• The individual user's Treat slow connection as offline preference must be enabled.

Note: ePCR Degraded Offline is disabled by default and must be enabled by the individual user.

How It Works

When Offline Documentation is enabled, First Due evaluates the connection available to ePCR.

If the connection is available and performing normally, ePCR continues to operate online.

If the connection is available but determined to be too slow for reliable ePCR use, ePCR can operate using its offline functionality instead of waiting for the degraded connection.

This behavior is isolated to ePCR only. Other First Due modules, such as Fire Inspection and Incident Command, continue using the available network connection.

Once the connection is suitable for normal ePCR operation again, ePCR can resume its normal online behavior.

What to Expect 

• A normal connection allows ePCR to operate online as usual.
• A slow or degraded connection can cause ePCR to operate using offline functionality.
• A complete loss of connectivity continues to use existing offline functionality.
• Other First Due modules remain connected to the available network and are not placed into offline mode because of the ePCR connection status.

This allows ePCR documentation to remain responsive while limiting the degraded-connection behavior specifically to patient care documentation.

Use Cases

Low-Signal Response Area

A medic is documenting an ePCR in an area with weak cellular service. The device still has a network connection, but responses from the network are extremely slow.

With degraded connection handling enabled, ePCR can use offline functionality rather than waiting for the slow connection, allowing the medic to continue documenting the patient encounter.

Agency Using Multiple First Due Modules

An agency uses ePCR along with Fire Inspection and Incident Command.

If ePCR detects a degraded connection, only ePCR uses its degraded-connection offline functionality. Fire Inspection, Incident Command, and other modules continue using the available connection normally.

User Prefers to Remain Online

An individual user prefers ePCR to continue using an available connection regardless of its performance.

The user can open the ePCR List Settings and turn off Treat slow connection as offline. This changes the behavior for that user without affecting other personnel.

Troubleshooting

ePCR is using offline functionality even though my device shows a connection

A device may display an active cellular or Wi-Fi connection even when that connection is performing too slowly for reliable ePCR use.

When degraded connection handling is enabled, ePCR may treat this type of connection as offline so documentation can continue without waiting for network responses.

Does this put the entire First Due application into offline mode?

No. Degraded connection handling is specific to ePCR. Other modules continue to use the available network connection normally.

Important Considerations

The Treat slow connection as offline preference is currently stored locally in the user's browser. Because it is a local preference, the setting may need to be configured separately when using a different browser or device.

Offline Documentation must remain enabled for degraded connection handling to function.

Agencies that do not enable ePCR Degraded Offline will continue using the existing ePCR connectivity behavior.