Specify factors affecting care

There are a number of patient-related factors that affect EMS care, such as pregnancy, alcohol or drugs, physical impairments, emotional distress, religious or cultural barriers, and so forth. You need to document these factors to provide these critical details on the patient's PCR.

  1. At the top of the page, click the Narrative tab.

    The contents of the Narrative tab appear, set to the Impressions bookmark in the left pane.

  2. In the left pane, click the Factors bookmark.

    The right pane scrolls down to the top of the Factors Affecting Care section of the page.

  3. For Barriers to Care, click None Noted, or click the list icon to the right of the field, select all the appropriate options from the menu that appears, then click OK or click outside the menu to list any patient specific barriers to serving the patient at the scene.

    Example: Developmentally impaired, hearing impaired, obesity, unconscious, cultural or religious, and so forth.

  4. For Alcohol/Drugs, click None Reported, or click the list icon to the right of the field, select all the appropriate options from the menu that appears, then click OK or click outside the menu to list any Indicators for the potential use of alcohol or drugs by the patient, related to the patient's current illness or injury.

    Example: Drug paraphernalia at the scene, patient admits to alcohol use

  5. For Pregnancy, choose No, Yes, Weeks Unknown, Possible, Unconfirmed, or click Other and select the appropriate single option from the menu that appears.

    It is vital to obtain an indication of the possibility by the patient's history of current pregnancy.