ePCR Quick Start Guide

Overview

Complete your first ePCR using the field-proven workflow. This guide shows you the single documentation path used across all call types - from routine transports to critical emergencies.

Your Documentation Path:

Open ePCR > Rapid Field Response > Complete ePCR > Submit

Intended for: EMS personnel with ePCR module basic access permissions.

Before You Start

Ensure you have:

• ✅ Active crew assignment and network connection

• ✅ Incident number from CAD OR basic incident details

• ✅ Responding apparatus unit number

Step 1: Open ePCR

If your incident shows in the Patient List:

1. Navigate to the Patient List tab.

2. Click + Add ePCR next to your incident.

3. Confirm (Yes) → select apparatus → Add.

If you need to search:

1. Click + New ePCR (toolbar, upper right).

2. Filter by Date and Apparatus.

3. Click incident → Create ePCR.

Result: ePCR opens with Rapid Field Response tools accessible in the top toolbar.

Learn More: Opening an ePCR - Complete ePCR creation details

Step 2: Rapid Field Response

All of these features are created in the back office per department to streamline the documentation process.

Complete Overview: Rapid Field Response - Detailed explanation of all four toolbar features and field workflows

Critical Fields (Triangle Icon)

Purpose: Essential NEMSIS fields that control validation throughout the ePCR.

Complete Now:

1. Click triangle icon (!) in top toolbar.

2. Complete fields marked with red asterisks across three tabs:

   • Incident: Arrival time, unit identification

   • Assessment: Patient weight (required for drug calculations)

   • Disposition: Leave until ready to clear scene/transport

Result: Red asterisks clear as you complete required fields. Auto-saves continuously.

Complete Reference: Critical Fields Documentation - All NEMSIS requirements and field explanations

Quick Actions

Purpose: Document Treatments (procedures and medications), vitals, and signatures.

Use During Patient Care:

1. Click in the upper toolbar.

2. Click treatment buttons as you provide care → automatically timestamped.
   Note: Use the Category tabs at the top of the page for quick navigation betwween treatment types.

Result: Treatments appear in Timeline and sync to all crew devices within 30 seconds.

Complete Guide: Quick Actions - Quick Medications, Quick Procedures, Quick Vitals, and category organization

Scenarios

Purpose: Single-page consolidated workflows for routine incidents.

Scenarios are individual for each agency and are configured in the back-office. Consult your administrators for the available scenarios.

Use For Simple Calls:

1. Click Scenarios in the upper toolbar.

2. Select a scenario from the available options.

3. Complete all fields on single-page form.

4. Click Submit at bottom of scenario.

Result: ePCR documentation complete without navigating multiple tabs.

When to Use Scenarios: Straightforward calls where single-page format captures all necessary information. For complex calls requiring detailed assessment, use standard ePCR tabs instead.

Complete Guide: Scenarios Documentation - All scenario types, customization options, and workflow optimization

Checklists

Purpose: Structured documentation for clinical decisions and protocol verification.

Use When Applicable:

1. Click Checklists in the upper toolbar.

2. Select the appropriate checklist.

3. Complete the checklist according to agency protocol.

Result: Completed checklists print with ePCR and embed in billing PDFs.

Important: Checklists are internal EPR FireWorks tools, not NEMSIS data elements.

Complete Reference: Checklists Documentation - All available checklists, usage guidance, and quality assurance integration

Step 3: Complete Full ePCR Documentation

After using Rapid Field Response tools, complete the ePCR sections according to agency and state requirements:

1. Incident - Location, crew assignments, response type, scene information, disposition (unless done separately)

2. Times - CAD timestamps and response delays

3. Patient - Demographics, address, contact information

4. Assessment - Chief complaint, vital signs, physical exam, treatments

5. Billing - Procedures, supplies, mileage, and insurance information

6. Other - Quality assurance, outcomes, and additional documentation

7. Signatures - Patient consent, refusal, or release signatures

8. Narrative - Patient care narrative and incident summary

Complete Guide: Documenting Patient Care (ePCR) - Detailed documentation for all ePCR tabs

Step 4: Generate Narrative

1. Navigate to the Narrative tab.

2. Type the narrative manually, or click Generate/Generate with AI to auto-compile from your ePCR fields.

3. Review and edit as needed.

Why Generate: Creates comprehensive narrative from documented data while ensuring completeness and consistency.

Alternative: Click Generate with AI for enhanced narrative with configurable style and focus areas.

Complete Guide: Narrative Documentation - Manual narrative writing, auto-generation, and AI enhancement features

Step 5: Validate and Submit

1. Click Completed icon (checkmark, top right toolbar).

2. If validation errors appear → navigate to indicated tabs and correct.

3. When validation passes → click Submit.

Result: ePCR locked and submitted for review and state reporting.

Next Steps

Congratulations! You've completed ePCR using the field-proven workflow.

Build Your Skills

Master Rapid Field Response:

• Critical Fields - All NEMSIS requirements explained

• Quick Actions - Quick Medications, Procedures, Vitals

• Checklists - Checklists guidance

• Scenarios - All scenario types and customization

Deepen Clinical Documentation:

• Assessmen - Comprehensive field descriptions and exam findings

• Vital Signs - Serial vital signs and cardiac monitor integration

• Treatments - Medications, procedures, and protocols

• Narrative - Creating comprehensive patient care narratives

Essential References

• Full ePCR Documentation - Complete system guide covering all tabs and features

• Rapid Field Response Overview - Detailed explanation of all four toolbar features

• Times - Chronological event management and timestamp corrections

Key Concepts

Rapid Field Response Tools Are Your Entry Point:
Always start with these four toolbar features regardless of call complexity or when you're documenting. They capture time-critical data and establish your ePCR foundation.

One Workflow, Multiple Applications:
The same core workflow applies to all call types. Variations simply emphasize different Rapid Field Response tools based on clinical scenario.

Document When It Makes Sense:
Real-time during critical calls. During transport for routine calls. At the station for completed incidents. The workflow adapts to your operational reality.

NEMSIS Compliance:
Red asterisks in Critical Fields indicate mandatory data for state reporting. Complete these fields to ensure validation passes.