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Data Entry Approach

Before reviewing data entry, these suggestions may be helpful, especially in regards to NEMSIS formatting:

  • When entering data in any field, always type or select the best fit for that field.
  • Always focus on collecting data that is relevant to the situation.
  • It is unlikely that all fields require input on any given PCR. Avoid entering data in fields when no real data is available or required.
  • Always contact AIM Support for assistance before answering a question you're unfamiliar with.
  • Null answers like Not Values or Pertinent Negatives (not applicable, not recorded, none reported, etc.) should only be used if the field is required by the state and there is no better option.

 

Nillable Fields

Nillable fields explain data beyond the entries provided and enable data entry where it may otherwise not be possible when formatting for NEMSIS Version Three (V3).

When selected, a nillable field displays the entered value.

“Nillable” refers to NOT Values or Pertinent Negatives which better explain these situations.

o  Not Values allow a field to be otherwise empty and explain why the data cannot be entered.

o  Pertinent Negatives allows for attributes to the entered data of a specific field, but can also serve as an answer to that field.

Nillable Field Details

Details are provided for all fields in the following sections. Whether the field allows Not Values and/or Pertinent Negatives is shown by two buttons, as seen in the image below:

Colors of icons indicate if a value is selected. If the field is marked as required, this will count as an answer.

Nillable Fields and Setup

Nillable fields are addressed in the setup to provide values when data cannot be entered in required fields. This allows the program to provide a not value answer – typically, not recorded -- when a nillable field requires data.

Allowing the program to populate empty fields or requiring users to enter a Not Value is a decision that must be made by management.

This setup will prevent validation errors from occurring for blank required fields.

Keep in mind that fields can be overlooked during data entry. This setting may provide values which could eventually cause rejections or lowered validity scores from the state/NEMSIS sites, as those additional validations are based on data entry combinations, situations, or other circumstances that could be triggered by these Not Values being populated without a crew entering them.

For more details on Not Values and Pertinent Negatives in setup, see Field Configurations.

 

Add Value Not Listed

The Add Value Not Listed feature allows the user to enter a value, without any associated code.  Codeless values will appear on the Hard Copy report in the fields corresponding section.  A matching add value request will automatically be submitted to Support as if the Add Value Support Request form was completed.   (Codeless values will not be sent to the state).

Search Medications

The Search Medications feature allows the user a more extensive search of the medication list in the Current Medications and Medications Given fields.

When the user clicks the Search Medication button the Medications Search screen will appear.  User can select a Start With letter, user can also search Starts With letter with the AND Contains field to narrow their search.   If a medication is not found on the list, the user can use the Request New Medication button.  This sends an automatic email with the request to the AIM Support Department to have the Medication added.  If there are any issues with the request the agency with be notified, otherwise the request should be added in the next 48 hours.

 

Pertinent Negative Values

These fields supply an additional level of explanation for data entered, such as why data is entered the way it is or why the field is empty.

For example:

  1. If a medication is supposed to be given by company policy, but is not, apertinent negative value explains the situation (Medication already taken, refused).
  2. If the patient does not admit to alcohol use, but the smell of alcohol is on breath, then apertinent negative value explains that no alcohol/drug use indicators were reported to EMS (using value 'None Reported'), but that the patient has the smell of alcohol on breath.

 

Autocomplete Character Recognition

These are specific fields where the field name will be displayed in purple after the user types three characters (letters or numbers) and autocomplete brings up matches from entries in the setup for this field.

Results are shown under the field. Select an entry from this list.

These results match to the name of all entries associated with that field. If more than three characters are entered, the results are narrowed with each additional character.

If no entries match, the No Items Found Matching Message appears instead of a list.

Note: Fields with minimal entries (for example, suffix) begin matching with a single character.

                       

Click or hit Enter to select the listing. This populates data from the setup, which typically involves a related code, and can populate multiple associated fields when run for a record.