Purpose Statement

This feature enables EMS personnel to begin a new electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) with imported CAD information, streamlining the documentation process by automatically populating incident details, unit times, assigned apparatus, call address, and dispatch information directly from the Computer-Aided Dispatch system.

Background Information

The ePCR creation process in First Due differs from NFIRS fire reporting as EMS reports do not automatically generate on the EMS Incident List. Users must manually initiate new ePCRs but can leverage CAD integration to import critical incident data, reducing manual entry errors and saving valuable documentation time. This feature is essential for maintaining accurate patient care records while ensuring efficient workflow for EMS providers.

Required Permissions

Users must have the following permissions enabled:

• Create EMS Care Report
  
• My EMS Care Reports
  
• EMS Care Report
  

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Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Access the EMS Incident List

Navigate to the main menu and click on EMS Incident List to access the EMS reporting module where all ePCRs are managed and stored.

Step 2: Initiate New ePCR Creation

Click on Add New button to begin creating a new ePCR. Note that unlike NFIRS reports which auto-generate on the Fire Incident List, EMS reports require manual initiation through the Add New function.

Step 3: Access CAD Integration

Click on Download CAD to open the CAD integration interface where available dispatch information can be retrieved and imported into your new ePCR.

Step 4: Select and Import CAD Information

Review the available CAD incidents and apply filters if needed to locate the correct call. Click on the download icon next to the appropriate incident to import the CAD data. The system will automatically populate the following information:

• Unit response times
• Assigned apparatus details
• Incident address and location data
• Initial dispatch information and complaint type'
  

Best Practices

Do's:

• Always verify the CAD incident matches your actual response before importing
• Import CAD data immediately when starting an ePCR to establish accurate timestamps
• Use filters to narrow down CAD results when multiple incidents are present
• Double-check auto-populated information for accuracy before proceeding with documentation
• Start your ePCR as soon as possible after incident dispatch or completion

Don'ts:

• Don't import CAD data from the wrong incident - this can cause compliance issues
• Don't skip the CAD import step as manual entry of times and details increases error risk
• Don't create duplicate ePCRs for the same incident
• Don't proceed without verifying all imported unit and apparatus information is correct

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Selecting incorrect CAD incident when multiple calls have similar addresses
• Forgetting to filter CAD data by date/time when searching for specific incidents
• Creating new ePCR without checking if one already exists for the incident
• Not refreshing CAD data if initial download doesn't show recent calls

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Issue: CAD Download button is not visible or disabled

• Solution: Verify your account has CAD integration permissions. Check with your system administrator to ensure CAD interface is properly configured and your user role includes CAD access rights.

Issue: No CAD incidents appear after clicking Download CAD

• Solution: Check filter settings to ensure correct date range is selected. Verify CAD system connectivity. Try refreshing the page or logging out and back in. Contact IT support if the CAD feed appears to be down.

Issue: Wrong incident information populated after CAD import

• Solution: Return to the Download CAD screen and select the correct incident. The system will overwrite previously imported data with the new selection. Verify incident number and times before proceeding.

FAQ: Why don't EMS reports auto-generate like Fire incidents?

• EMS reports require manual initiation to allow for proper patient privacy controls and to prevent unnecessary report creation for canceled or non-patient calls. This gives users control over when to create official patient care documentation.

FAQ: Can I start an ePCR without CAD information?

• Yes, you can proceed without clicking Download CAD, but you'll need to manually enter all incident details, times, and apparatus information. This is only recommended when CAD data is unavailable or for non-emergency transports.

FAQ: What if multiple units responded to the same incident?

• Each unit should create their own ePCR if they had patient contact. The CAD import will show all assigned units, but each provider documents their specific patient interactions separately.