Purpose Statement

To demonstrate the process of configuring Signature Blocks and Form Language for use within an ePCR. Signature Blocks create dedicated positions within ePCR forms for specific individuals to provide signatures for designated reasons, while Form Language defines the informational content displayed to signers during the signature capture process.

Background Information

Signature Blocks represent dedicated positions within an ePCR for specific persons (patient, crew member, nurse, etc.) to sign for specific reasons (refusal, transfer of care, medication use, etc.). Each signature block functions as a separate signature container within the ePCR, allowing for organized collection of required approvals and acknowledgments. Form Language works in conjunction with Signature Blocks by providing the informational text displayed to signers when the signature box is presented, ensuring appropriate consent language and legal disclaimers are communicated effectively.

What is a Signature Block? A signature block represents a dedicated position within an ePCR for a specific person (patient, crew member, nurse, etc.) to sign for a specific reason (refusal, transfer of care, medication use, etc.). Each block represents a separate signature within an ePCR.

[Picture Placeholder: Example of multiple signature blocks in ePCR]

What is Form Language? Form Language is the information displayed to a person signing (patient, crew member, nurse, etc.) when the signature box is presented to the signer. Use Form Language to create forms for each situation in which a signature may be obtained.

A Form Language item needs to be completed for each Reason for Signing for those reasons to show up in the signature block.

Related Articles - EMS Setup - Form Language

Required Permissions

To configure Signature Blocks and Form Language in the ePCR module, administrators need the following permissions:

• ePCR Configuration Access: Ability to modify ePCR module settings and workflows
• Administrator Role: Full administrative privileges to access system configuration areas
• EMS Setup Access: Authority to modify ePCR setup configurations including signature blocks and form language
• Field Customization Access: Permission to modify dropdown options and custom elements if needed

Video Guide

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Access Signature Setup

1. Navigate to EMS Setup within the Incident Documentation module
   
2. Select Signature Setup from the available configuration options
3. The Signature Setup page will display with multiple configuration tabs

Step 2: Adding Signature Blocks

1. Click on the Signature Blocks tab to add or edit signature blocks
2. To create a new signature block, click Add or edit existing blocks using the edit icon

Step 3: Define Types of Persons Signing

1. Enter a descriptive Block Name that clearly identifies the signature's purpose
2. After defining the Block Name, choose which type of person(s) can sign within the selected block
3. Select from available options such as Patient, Crew Member, Nurse, Family Member, etc.
4. Multiple people can be associated with a single signature block if appropriate

Inside an ePCR, this configuration appears as a filtered dropdown for field personnel:

Step 4: Select Signature Reasons

1. Choose which signature reasons apply to the selected block
2. Select from available reasons such as Permission to Treat, Refusal, Transfer of Care, etc.
3. Multiple reasons can be associated with a single signature block if appropriate

Inside the ePCR, selected reasons appear in the dropdown:

Step 5: Configure Optional Fields

1. Enable or disable Optional Fields within the selected block based on your department's documentation requirements
2. If the crew member field is enabled, providers will be able to choose a name from a dropdown roster list
   
3. If the type of representative is enabled, providers will be able to choose who is signing this form
   
4. If the full name is enabled, providers will be able to enter the name of the person signing, if necessary

Inside the ePCR, Type of Representative appears as an optional field:

Step 6: Set Default Values

1. If default values are needed in the signature block, select from the dropdown list
2. Default values can include pre-populated signature counts or standard field selections
3. Configure defaults based on your department's most common signature scenarios

Step 7: Configure Post-Completion Edit Settings

1. Choose the Is Patient Signature Block to indicate whether the patient will sign this signature type
2. Choose to enable or disable signature edits for the selected block after the report is completed
3. Consider legal and compliance requirements when determining edit permissions
4. Enabling edits allows corrections but may impact signature authenticity
5. Click Save to apply all signature block configurations

Step 8: Set Default Block Visibility

1. Use the Default toggle for blocks that should always be visible inside an ePCR
2. Defaulted Signature Blocks are automatically displayed in every ePCR
3. Non-defaulted signature blocks can be added by providers as needed using "Add" button under Signature Blocks
4. Use Default setting for the most commonly obtained signatures in your department

Step 9: Customize Signature Reason Display (Optional)

1. If desired, use EMS Setup -> Field Customization to edit the dropdown choice display for "Reasons for Signature"
2. This allows customization of how signature reasons appear to field personnel
3. Customize display names to match your department's terminology and workflows

Best Practices

Signature Block Organization:

• Create separate signature blocks for different types of interactions (patient consent, crew acknowledgment, transfer documentation)
• Use clear, descriptive block names that field personnel will easily understand
• Set Default toggles for commonly used signature blocks to improve workflow efficiency
• Limit the Types of Person options to reduce selection errors and improve documentation accuracy

Form Language Integration:

• Remember that Form Language items must be created for each Reason for Signing to appear in signature blocks (see related Form Language setup article)
• Form Language provides the informational text displayed to signers during signature capture
• Coordinate with team members responsible for Form Language configuration to ensure all signature reasons have corresponding language content
• Test signature block functionality after Form Language setup to verify proper integration

Workflow Optimization:

• Configure optional fields based on actual documentation needs rather than including all available options
• Consider department protocols when enabling post-completion edit capabilities
• Use Field Customization to align dropdown displays with department terminology
• Implement Custom Elements only when standard options don't meet specific documentation requirements

Compliance and Training:

• Ensure all signature configurations align with NEMSIS reporting requirements
• Provide comprehensive training to field personnel on signature block selection and usage
• Regularly review and update form language to maintain current legal compliance
• Document all customizations for audit and training purposes

Troubleshooting & FAQs

1. A: Verify that Form Language items have been created for each desired signature reason (this is configured in a separate Form Language setup process). Signature reasons will only appear if corresponding Form Language content exists.
   

1. A: Review the Types of Person configuration for each signature block and adjust selections to match actual use cases. Remove unnecessary options to reduce confusion.
   

1. A: Use EMS Setup -> Custom Elements -> Custom Values for NEMSIS Questions to create additional variations under the same signature reason category.
   

1. A: Check the form language content for length and formatting issues. Test display on actual field devices and adjust content as needed for optimal mobile viewing.
   

1. A: Verify that the Default toggle is enabled for signature blocks that should automatically appear. Only toggled blocks will be visible by default.
   

1. A: Use EMS Setup -> Field Customization to edit the display names for "Reasons for Signature" to match your department's preferred terminology.