Completing an ePCR - Using Rapid Intervention Tools
Purpose Statement
Rapid Intervention Tools streamline critical documentation during high-acuity incidents by providing quick-access templates for time-sensitive interventions. This feature enables field personnel to capture essential medical interventions with minimal clicks during emergencies, then add comprehensive details later when time permits, ensuring accurate documentation without compromising patient care.
Background Information
Rapid Intervention Tools are designed specifically for emergency scenarios where seconds matter. These tools include pre-configured fields for common critical interventions such as medication administration, airway management, cardiac interventions, and other life-saving procedures. The feature supports both real-time documentation and a "Code Mode" for timestamping interventions during active resuscitation, allowing crews to focus on patient care while maintaining documentation accuracy for medical-legal compliance and quality assurance reviews.
Common Use Cases:
- Cardiac arrest resuscitations
- Critical trauma interventions
- Rapid sequence intubation
- Time-sensitive medication administration
- Multi-patient incidents requiring quick documentation
Prerequisites:
- Incident Documentation for ePCR
- User must have appropriate clinical documentation permissions
- Familiarity with the interventions being documented
Required Permissions
To access and utilize Rapid Intervention Tools, users must have the following permissions:
- ePCR - My EMS Care Reports - Read, Update, Create
Note: Administrator-level users should verify these permissions are assigned to appropriate field personnel roles in the User Management module.
Video
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Navigate to Rapid Intervention Tools
- When documenting an ePCR
- Locate the Rapid Intervention button in the top menu bar
- Click the button to launch the Rapid Intervention Tools modal
2. Select the Appropriate Intervention Tool
- Review the available intervention tools displayed in the modal
- Click on the specific tool that matches the intervention performed (e.g., Medication Administration, Airway Management, Cardiac Intervention)
- The selected tool will open with its pre-configured fields
3. Complete Required Fields
- Review all fields within the selected tool
- Fields may contain default values that can be edited if needed.
- Enter or verify all required information specific to the intervention
- Complete any additional fields relevant to the procedure performed
4. Save the Intervention Record
- Click the Save button at the bottom of the tool
- An indicator will appear confirming the intervention has been saved
- The modal will close and return you to the main ePCR
5. Track Multiple Uses of the Same Tool
- Notice that a numerical badge now appears on the tool icon
- This number indicates how many times that specific intervention has been documented for this patient
- This is particularly useful during extended resuscitations or multiple medication administrations
6. Enable Code Mode
- Locate the Code Mode toggle at the top of the Rapid Intervention Tools modal
- Activate Code Mode by clicking the toggle switch
- In Code Mode, you can quickly timestamp interventions without entering complete details
- Click on any intervention tool while Code Mode is active
7. Understanding Code Mode Functionality
- Click the information icon (ℹ) next to the Code Mode toggle
- Review the explanation of how Code Mode allows for rapid timestamping
- Understand that interventions marked in Code Mode can be completed with full details later
8. Quick-Timestamp an Intervention
- With Code Mode enabled, click on the intervention tool you just performed
- A "Successfully Updated" alert will appear immediately
- The intervention is now timestamped but marked for additional documentation
- Continue patient care without interruption
9. Locate Timestamped Interventions
- Navigate to the Actions column in the Vital signs and Treatments (Procedures, and/or Medications) section
- Look for the Rapid Intervention Tool icon
- This icon indicates an intervention was documented using the Rapid Intervention Tools
- Click the icon to access that specific intervention record
10. Add Comprehensive Details
- The intervention tool will reopen with the timestamp preserved
- Complete all remaining fields with detailed information
- Click Save when all documentation is complete
- The intervention record is now fully documented with accurate timestamp and details
Best Practices
During Active Emergencies:
- Utilize Code Mode liberally during critical phases of patient care—documentation can always be enhanced later
- Assign one crew member to handle documentation when staffing permits
- Timestamp interventions immediately after performance for maximum accuracy
- Use verbal cues to communicate with the documenting crew member ("Mark epi given")
For Complete Documentation:
- Return to complete Code Mode entries as soon as patient care stabilizes
- Complete deferred documentation before clearing the scene when possible
- Include patient response to interventions for comprehensive clinical picture
- Verify all timestamps reflect actual intervention times, not documentation times
Quality Assurance:
- Review completed ePCRs to ensure all Rapid Intervention entries are fully documented
- Use the numerical indicators to verify expected number of interventions (e.g., if patient received 4 rounds of medications, there should be 4 entries)
- Document negative responses or complications as thoroughly as positive outcomes
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Don't forget to disable Code Mode when you have time for complete documentation
- Avoid leaving Code Mode entries incomplete after the incident concludes
- Don't duplicate interventions—use the same tool multiple times rather than re-entering
- Don't rush through required fields just to save time if patient care allows proper documentation
Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: I accidentally timestamped an intervention in Code Mode that wasn't performed. How do I remove it?
A: Access the intervention through the Actions column icon and look for a delete or remove option within the tool. If not available, contact your administrator or document in the narrative that the intervention was marked in error.
Q: Can I edit a Rapid Intervention entry after saving it?
A: Yes. Click the Rapid Intervention icon in the Actions column to reopen the tool and modify any information. Changes will be saved with an edit timestamp for audit purposes.
Q: How many times can I use the same intervention tool for one patient?
A: There's no limit. The numerical indicator will continue to increment with each use, which is especially helpful for documenting multiple medication doses or repeated interventions.
Q: Will the timestamps reflect when I documented the intervention or when it actually occurred?
A: In Code Mode, the timestamp reflects when you clicked the tool (closer to actual intervention time). In standard mode, you may need to manually adjust the time field if there's a delay between intervention and documentation.
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