Documenting an Exposure - Information Section

Documenting an Exposure - Information Section

Purpose Statement

  1. The Information section is the foundational component when documenting an exposure incident in the Fire/EMS software platform. This section captures essential details about the exposure event, including exposure types, timing, location, and duration. Completing this section accurately ensures proper incident tracking, compliance reporting, and provides critical data for future safety analysis and prevention measures.

Background Information

  1. Exposure documentation is a critical safety and compliance function for Fire/EMS departments. The Information section serves as the primary data collection point for exposure incidents, whether they involve hazardous materials, infectious diseases, or other occupational hazards. This documentation supports workers' compensation claims, medical monitoring programs, and regulatory reporting requirements such as OSHA compliance. Proper completion of this section ensures that all necessary baseline information is captured before proceeding to document affected personnel details.

Required Permissions

To document exposures and access the Information section, users must have the following permissions:

  • Exposures - Allows creation and editing of exposure records
    • Read - Allows to view exposure records.
    • Update - Allows to edit existing exposure records.
    • Create - Allows to create exposure records.
Note: Contact your system administrator if you cannot access the exposure documentation features.

Video



Step-by-Step Guide


1. Access the Information Section
  1. When documenting an exposure, select the Information section from the exposure documentation interface.


When documenting an Exposure select on the Information section.



2. Complete Required Fields
  1. There are three required fields that must be completed:
    • Exposure Types (dropdown selection)
    • Incident Date/Time 
    • Exposure Number (automatically generated by the system)
  1. All other fields are optional but should be completed for accurate exposure documentation and reporting.


There are three required fields when collecting information of the Exposure.



3. Select Exposure Types
  1. From the Exposure Types dropdown, select all exposures that apply to the incident. After making your selections, click anywhere outside the dropdown box to add those items to the record.


From the Exposure Types dropdown select on all exposures that apply to the incident then select anywhere outside the box to have those items added.



4. Set Incident Date and Time
  1. Select the Incident Date/Time field to open the date/time picker screen on the right side of the interface. You can enter the date and time using either:
    • The on-screen keypad
    • Your device's physical keypad
  1. After entering the information, select Apply to save the date and time.
  2. Quick Option: Select the Today button to automatically populate the current date. You will still need to manually enter the time.





5. Document Time of Exposure
  1. Document the Time of Exposure using the same method as the Incident Date/Time, then select Apply to save.


Document the Time of Exposure in the same manner as the Date and Time then select Apply.



6. Enter Duration of Incident
  1. Fill out the Duration of Incident field using minutes as the unit of measurement.


Fill out the Duration of Incident in minutes.



7. Document Duration of Exposure
  1. Complete the Duration of Exposure field, also documented in minutes.


The Duration of Exposure is also documented in minutes.



8. Add Address Information
  1. Complete any available Address information fields to accurately track where the exposure took place. This location data is important for pattern analysis and environmental assessments.


Complete any Address information to track where the Exposure took place.



9. Save or Continue
  1. Once you have completed the Information section, you have two options:
    • Select Personnel Exposed to continue documenting the exposure with affected personnel details
    • Select the Save button to save your progress and complete the documentation at a later time
Warning
Alert - Selecting Close will cancel the Exposure and delete all information entered.


Once completed with the Information you can now select the Personnel Exposed to continue the Exposure or select the Save button to complete at a later time.



10. Verify Exposure Creation
  1. If you selected the Save button, you will see confirmation that the exposure record has been successfully created in the system.


If you have selected the Save button you will notice that the Exposure has been created.

Best Practices

  • Complete all optional fields whenever possible to ensure comprehensive exposure documentation
  • Verify the accuracy of date and time information, as this data is critical for medical monitoring and compliance reporting
  • Use specific and detailed address information to help identify exposure patterns or environmental factors
  • Document exposures as soon as possible after the incident while details are fresh
  • Double-check exposure type selections to ensure all applicable exposures are captured
  • Save your work frequently to prevent data loss, especially when documenting complex incidents

    • Troubleshooting & FAQs

    Q: What happens if I accidentally select "Close" instead of "Save"?

          A: Alert - Selecting Close will cancel the exposure documentation and delete all information entered. Always use the Save button to preserve your work.

    Q: Can I edit an exposure record after it has been saved?

          A: Yes, saved exposure records can be reopened and edited by users with appropriate permissions. Look for the saved exposure in your exposure management interface.

    Q: What if I don't know the exact time of exposure?

          A: Enter the best approximation available. Accurate timing is important for medical protocols, but an estimated time is better than no documentation.

    Q: How specific should the address information be?

          A: Include as much detail as possible - street address, building number, floor, room number, or specific location within a facility to help with future analysis and response planning.

    Q: Can multiple exposure types be selected for one incident?

          A: Yes, select all exposure types that apply to the incident. This ensures comprehensive documentation of all potential hazards encountered.

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