EMS Setup - Navigating the Custom Elements Section

EMS Setup - Navigating the Custom Elements Section

Purpose Statement

  1. This article explains the features and navigation of the Custom Elements section within EMS Setup, enabling users to understand how to manage custom questions, values, and groups for ePCR customization.

Background Information

  1. The Custom Elements section provides agencies with the ability to customize their ePCR forms by adding agency-specific questions, creating custom dropdown values for NEMSIS fields, and organizing elements into logical groups. This functionality allows for tailored data collection while maintaining NEMSIS compliance.
  2. For multi-state agencies, custom elements can be configured separately for each state to accommodate varying local requirements and regulations. The interface provides comprehensive management tools for creating, editing, activating, and removing custom elements as needed.

Required Permissions

To complete this task, users need the following First Due permissions:

EMS Setup - Manage

  • Allow

EMS Setup - Manage Field Customization

  • Allow

These permissions ensure users can access the Custom Elements section and perform all necessary customization functions.

Video


Step-by-Step Guide


Step 1: Navigate to EMS Setup
  1. Navigate to Incident Documentation then select EMS Setup


Navigate to Incident Documentation then select on EMS Setup.



Step 2: Access Custom Elements Section
  1. Locate and select the Custom Elements section within the EMS Setup


Locate and select on the Custom Elements section within the EMS Setup.



Step 3: Select State (for multi-state agencies)
  1. If your agency is affiliated with multiple states, you can create custom questions, values, or groups for the selected state
  2. Use the arrows or dropdown to choose which state to begin adding custom questions, values, or groups


If your agency is affiliated with multiple states you are able to create custom questions, values or groups for the selected state.



Step 4: Understanding Subsection Management
  1. Within each subsection you will be able to add, edit, remove, or mark elements as active


Within each sub-section you will be able to add, edit, remove or mark active.



Step 5: Bulk Delete Operations
  1. To bulk delete any Custom areas, use the checkbox to select individual items
  2. Use the top checkbox to select all displayed items
  3. Select the waste basket icon to bulk delete selected items
Info
Note: You cannot select or delete any custom areas that have information associated with them from existing ePCRs


To bulk delete any Custom areas, use the check box to select or using the top will select all displayed, select on the waste basket to bulk delete.



Step 6: Managing Active Status
  1. From the Is Active column, you can select which custom question, value, or group will be active in an ePCR
  2. Only active elements will appear in the ePCR form for providers to use


From the Is Active column you are able to select which custom question, value or group will be active in an ePCR.



Step 7: Using the Actions Column
  1. From the Actions column you can edit any existing custom question, value, or group
  2. Available actions:
    1. Pencil icon - to edit the element
    2. Trashcan icon - to delete the element
Info
Important: You cannot delete any custom question, value, or group if there is information associated with it from an ePCR


From the Actions column you are able to edit any existing custom question, value or group.



Step 8: Adding New Custom Elements
  1. To begin adding Custom Questions, Values, or Groups, select Add in the appropriate subsection
  2. Each subsection has its own Add button for creating new elements


To begin adding Custom Questions, Values or Groups select the Add in the appropriated subsection.



Step 9: Use Filtering Options
  1. Filter the list using the fields within each section
  2. Enter filter criteria and select Search to narrow displayed results




Best Practices

  1. Plan your custom elements structure before implementation to avoid unnecessary changes later
  2. Use descriptive names for custom elements to make them easily identifiable
  3. Test custom elements in a development environment before activating in production
  4. Regularly review active status of custom elements to ensure only necessary items are displayed
  5. Coordinate with clinical staff when creating custom questions to ensure relevance and accuracy
  6. Document the purpose and usage of each custom element for future reference
  7. Consider grouping related custom elements for better organization
  8. Review and clean up unused custom elements periodically

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why can't I delete a custom element?
Custom elements cannot be deleted if they have associated data from existing ePCRs. You can deactivate them instead.

How do I know which state I'm configuring for?
Check the state selector dropdown at the top of the Custom Elements section to verify which state is currently selected.

What's the difference between inactive and deleted elements?
Inactive elements are hidden from the ePCR but retain their data and can be reactivated. Deleted elements are permanently removed (only if no data exists).

Can I copy custom elements from one state to another?
Each state's custom elements must be configured separately. You'll need to manually recreate elements for each state.

How do I bulk activate or deactivate elements?
Use the checkboxes to select multiple elements, but activation/deactivation must be done individually through the Is Active column.

What happens to data if I deactivate a custom element?
Existing data remains intact, but the element won't appear in new ePCRs. The data can still be viewed in historical reports.

    • Related Articles

    • EMS Setup - Creating Custom Boolean Questions for ePCR

      Creating Custom Boolean Questions in ePCR Setup Purpose Statement To demonstrate how to create custom Boolean questions within the EMS Setup in First Due. Boolean questions appear as toggle switches (yes/no or true/false) inside the ePCR, allowing ...

    • EMS Setup - Creating Custom Other Questions for ePCR

      Purpose Statement The Custom Other Questions feature within EMS Setup allows administrators to create agency-specific alphanumeric text fields that capture additional information not covered by standard NEMSIS data elements. This functionality ...

    • EMS Setup - Creating Custom Integer/Number Questions for ePCR

      Purpose The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how to create custom Integer/Number Questions for EMS reports. This feature enables agencies to collect precise numeric data for clinical documentation, state reporting requirements, and ...

    • EMS Setup - Creating Custom Date/Time Questions for ePCR

      Purpose Statement This article demonstrates how agency administrators can create custom Date/Time questions within the EMS Setup to capture specific temporal data required for their documentation workflows. Custom Date/Time questions enable providers ...

    • EMS Setup - Adding Custom Values for NEMSIS Questions

      Purpose Statement This article demonstrates how to create custom values for NEMSIS questions within an EMS report, allowing agencies to add localized options to standard NEMSIS fields while maintaining compliance and proper data mapping. Background ...