Release Notes - ePCR

Release Notes - ePCR

Info
In order to provide you with more detailed information on our updates we have broken the Release Notes down by module.

New Features

1. Transfers

What:  This feature introduces a streamlined workflow for transferring electronic Patient Care Reports (ePCRs) between units in a two-tier response system.
Why:  This allows for a single comprehensive patient record while maintaining clear documentation of the care provided by each responding unit.
How:  
  1. New Permission added that needs to be enabled.  Transfer EMS Care Report


  1. Initial Documentation:
    1. First responding unit (e.g., Chase Vehicle) begins patient care and documentation
    2. Crew documents patient information, vitals, procedures, etc.

  1. Initiating Transfer:
    1. When ready to transfer, user selects "Transfer" from the ePCR menu
    2. User selects either a specific unit to transfer to or toggles "Transfer to Other Unit"
    3. User clicks "Transfer" to complete the process
    4. System closes the ePCR and makes it available in the Transfers list




  1. Finding Transfers:
    • Pending transfers (those not yet accepted) are always displayed at the top of the Incident List
    • Transfers are indicated by arrow icons in the incident list for easy identification
    • Users can quickly identify which reports are pending transfer




  1. Accepting Transfer:
    • Receiving unit (e.g., Ambulance) clicks on the arrows icon to accept the transfer
    • After confirming to be added as a crew member, the system immediately opens the ePCR report
    • When transferring to a specific unit:
      • The selected unit is automatically designated as primary
      • All crew members associated with that unit are added to the report
    • When using "Transfer to Other Unit":
      • The unit of the accepting user becomes the primary unit
      • Crew members from that unit are added to the report




  1. Continuing Documentation:
    • Receiving unit continues documentation where the first unit left off
    • All previously documented information is preserved
    • Crew members from both units remain in the report
    • Interventions documented by the first unit are marked as "Prior to Arrival"
    • Unit and crew information can be manually adjusted if necessary

  1. Additional Notes:
    • All crew members from all involved units are preserved in the report
    • The system maintains a complete chronology of patient care
    • Transfers can be initiated multiple times if needed
    • After a transfer is accepted, the report returns to normal permission settings
    • For transfer to "Unknown," the report is pushed to the incident list for any unit to claim




2.  Added an Addendum feature

What:  The Addendum feature allows EMS personnel to add supplementary information to completed ePCR documents without modifying the original content.
Why:  This maintains document integrity while providing a mechanism to append additional context or information discovered after the initial completion.
How:
  1. Enable the Feature:
    1. Navigate to EMS Setup > General > General
    2. Check the "Enable Addendums" option
    3. Save changes



  1. Using Addendums:
    1. Complete and save a PCR report
    2. Once the report is in read-only mode, the Addendum section remains editable
    3. Click "+Add" button in the Addendum section
    4. Enter date/time and text for the addendum
    5. Save changes
    6. Multiple addendums can be added as needed






  1. Viewing Addendums:
    1. Addendums are visible in the PCR form in the dedicated Addendum section
    2. When printing the report, addendums appear at the end of the document (after Attachments)
    3. Addendums are sorted chronologically in both the form and printed report

  1. Important Notes:
    1. Addendum information is NOT included in NEMSIS XML exports
    2. Addendums are only visible in the internal system and printed reports
    3. The Addendum section is only available after a report has been marked as completed



3.  Easy Staff

What:  This feature adds integration with Easy Staff scheduling system,
Why:  This allows departments to automatically import crew information from Easy Staff into First Due reports.
How:
  1. Speak with your Client Success Manager
  2. Using in Reports:
    1. When unit or "Unit Notified by Dispatch Date/Time" fields are edited, a prompt appears asking to import crew
    2. If confirmed, personnel associated with that apparatus at the specified time are added to the Crew member section
    3. Personnel can be imported manually or via Download CAD/Refresh CAD
  3. Data Handling:
    1. Previously added crew members are not overwritten when importing from Easy Staff
    2. Crew imports include certification level information
    3. System prevents duplicate entries when importing already-added personnel
    4. Manual edits to imported crew information are preserved during CAD Refresh


Enhancements

1.  Custom Sections

What:  This feature enhances the Custom Elements by allowing users to create and organize custom groups within custom sections.
Why:  To provide better organization and structure for custom questions.
How:  
  1. Navigate to Custom Elements / Custom Groups in the EMS Setup.
  2. Click "Add" to create a new custom group within the custom section
  3. Name the group and save
  4. Custom questions can now be assigned to this group using the standard assignment workflow.






2.  Protocols

What:  This update reorganizes the Protocols>Treatments>Settings interface to make all setting options available for every treatment procedure code.
Why:  This provides greater flexibility and configuration capabilities for the expanded SNOMED code library.
How:  
  1. Accessing Settings:
    1. Navigate to Protocols > Treatments
    2. Select any treatment to access its Settings option



  1. Configuring Settings:
    1. Settings are organized into four categories (General Procedures, Airway, IV/IO, EKG)
    2. Toggle switches enable/disable specific fields for each treatment
    3. Customize dropdown option lists for applicable fields
    4. For Vascular Access Location, all options are available by default



  1. Effect on Reports:
    1. Only fields with toggles enabled will appear in reports
    2. For new treatments, settings must be manually configured
    3. For existing treatments with hardcoded settings, previous configurations are preserved automatically





3.  Pulsara

What:  This enhancement moves the Pulsara API key configuration from server configuration files to the user interface.
Why:   This allows administrators to configure Pulsara integration without requiring support tickets or developer intervention.
How:  Speak with your Client Success Manager to enable import Pulsara permission, once enable you will navigate to Roles & Permissions within the Admin module.
  1. Enable permission


  1. Access Configuration:
    1. Navigate to EMS Setup > Integrations
    2. Select the new "Pulsara Setup" section



  1. Configure Settings:
    1. Enter the Pulsara API Key
    2. Configure any additional required settings (such as endpoint URLs if applicable)
    3. Save changes

  1. Permissions Required:
    1. Users must have the "Configure Pulsara Integration" permission to access and modify these settings
    2. This permission is disabled by default and must be explicitly granted to relevant administrative roles

  1. Security Considerations:
    1. API keys are stored encrypted in the database
    2. Only users with appropriate permissions can view or modify the configuration
    3. Audit logs track all changes to integration settings



4.  QA/QI

What:  Optimize QA/QI view for large reports.
Why:  This enhancement significantly improves the performance and reliability of the QA/QI view when handling reports containing large amounts of data, particularly those with extensive Vitals, Medications, Procedures, and Devices entries.
How:  
  1. Grid View Navigation:
    1. Navigate to the QA/QI view for a report
    2. Medications, Procedures, Devices, and Vital signs are displayed in compact grid formats
    3. Large datasets are handled efficiently with internal scrolling within each grid section
    4. Section headers clearly indicate the number of entries in each category
  1. Detailed Information Access:
    1. Click on any individual item (e.g., a medication, procedure, device, or vital sign)
    2. A modal dialog opens displaying detailed information about the selected item
    3. Information is loaded on-demand, reducing initial page load requirements
    4. Close the modal to return to the grid view
  2. Comment Functionality:
    1. Add comments to specific elements by clicking on the item and using the comment feature in the modal
    2. Comment counters in section headers update automatically when comments are added or removed
    3. Different comment types are visually distinguished with color-coded indicators
    4. All existing comment functionality works identically to the previous implementation
  3. Performance Improvements:
    1. Initial page load time is significantly reduced, especially for large reports
    2. Memory usage is optimized by loading detailed information only when needed
    3. Smooth navigation between sections without performance degradation
    4. Reliable handling of reports with extensive data entries









5.  Michigan Data Compliance Updates

What:  This enhancement package includes several updates to improve compliance with Michigan state reporting requirements and data validation, including custom PN value support, additional DEM custom values, and expanded GNIS location data.

Key Features:
  • Custom PN Value Support: Added support for PN values in ePatient.14 (Race) field, including specific Michigan values for "Refused," "Unresponsive," and "Unable to Complete."
  • Custom Agency Type Values: Added capability to include custom values for dAgency.13 (Organizational Type) to meet Michigan requirements.
  • Enhanced GNIS Data: Added several Michigan city/county combinations to properly document incident locations across multiple counties.
​
How it works:
  • Custom PN Values for Race Documentation:
    • ePatient.14 (Race) field now supports the following PN values:
      • 8801019 - Refused
      • 8801021 - Unresponsive
      • 8801023 - Unable to Complete
    • These values appear as options in the race dropdown menu
    • When selected, the system correctly formats the XML with appropriate correlation IDs
    • Example XML formatting included in the implementation follows the required pattern:
      xml
      <ePatient.14 xsi:nil="true" CorrelationID="[ID]" NV="7701003" /> <eCustomResults.ResultsGroup CorrelationID="[ID]"> <eCustomResults.01 xsi:nil="true" PN="8801023" /> <eCustomResults.02>ePatient.14</eCustomResults.02> </eCustomResults.ResultsGroup>
  • Custom Agency Type Values:
    • dAgency.13 (Organizational Type) now supports Michigan-specific custom values
    • Agencies can select from standard options as well as Michigan-specific options
    • Values are properly formatted in exported NEMSIS XML data

  • GNIS City/County Combinations:
    • Added the following city/county combinations to the GNIS database:
      • Mecosta County:
        • Big Rapids
        • Paris
        • Reed City
        • Hersey
        • Evart
      • Newaygo County:
        • Big Rapids
        • Paris
        • Reed City
      • Muskegon County:
        • Spring Lake
      • Ottawa County:
        • Spring Lake
    • These locations are now available in city/county selection fields
    • Each combination includes the appropriate GNIS Feature ID for accurate location documentation
    • Reports can now properly document incidents occurring in these locations


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