patient care report paramedic

by Prof. Cecelia Leuschke 4 min read

10+ Patient Care Report Examples [ EMS, EMT, …

27 hours ago A patient care report is a document written by medical professionals to report about the patient’s wellbeing, care and status. This document consists of the result of the assessment and the evaluation of the patient being done by the EMTs or the EMS. >> Go To The Portal


Paramedics and EMTs should ensure the patient care report they are writing is complete, factual and paints a picture for the reader of the patient's condition, the treatment you provided and if the treatment you provided change the condition of your patient. For example, a patient of yours has fallen and fractured their wrist.

Full Answer

Who can write reports in healthcare?

A lot of people believe that only nurses or health care workers can write reports. Most specifically patient care reports or anything that may be related to an incident report that often happens in hospitals or in some health care facilities.

What is a patient care report?

A patient care report is a document written by medical professionals to report about the patient’s wellbeing, care and status. This document consists of the result of the assessment and the evaluation of the patient being done by the EMTs or the EMS.

Why should my EMS partner also review my PCR?

Having your EMS partner also review your PCR is a great check and balance to further ensure accuracy. Going back to the basics taught in primary school can have a major impact on the quality of your PCR writing.

Can an EMS provider select “yes” or “no” in a clinical narrative?

However, simply clicking a box or making a selection from a drop-down menu cannot be a substitute for your words in the form of a clear, concise, accurate and descriptive clinical narrative. An EMS provider can select “yes” to the checkbox that the patient experienced chest pain, however that is not enough information.

What is a patient care report in EMS?

The primary purpose of the Patient Care Report (PCR) is to document all care and pertinent patient information as well as serving as a data collection tool. The documentation included on the PCR provides vital information, which is necessary for continued care at the hospital.

When should patient care report be completed?

Writing the PCR as soon as possible after the call will help make sure it is as accurate as possible. If it is not possible to write the PCR as soon as the call is over, simply taking some notes on the call, and then using those notes later when completing the PCR can ensure accuracy.

How do you write a patient report?

Summary: The format of a patient case report encompasses the following five sections: an abstract, an introduction and objective that contain a literature review, a description of the case report, a discussion that includes a detailed explanation of the literature review, a summary of the case, and a conclusion.

What pertinent information should be obtained on a patient care report?

Each PCR should include all pertinent times associated with the EMS call. As well as the times of the assessments and treatments provided, the PCR should include detailed signs and symptoms and other assessment findings such as vital signs, and all the specific emergency care provided.

What are the components of a patient care report?

Patients name and the chief complaint, nature of the illness, or mechanism of injury. Detailed information, such as pertinent negatives and findings of a more detailed physical exam. Any medical history not already given. The patient's response to treatment given en route.

What are PCR documents?

The PCR documentation is considered a medical document that becomes part of the patient's permanent medical record. It is also considered a legal document in cases where liability and/or malpractice issues arise. It is the source in which all medical billing claims are based.

What is patient report?

CMS defines a PRO as any report of the status of a patient's health condition or health behavior that. comes directly from the patient, without interpretation of the patient's response by a clinician or. anyone else. Self-reported patient data provide a rich data source① for outcomes. This definition.

How do you start a report?

The first section you start writing in your report is always a summary or introduction. This should stretch across just one or two pages to give your reader a brief glimpse into what your results or findings are.

What should be included in a PCR report?

Most things are self-explanatory – patient's name, address, DOB, age, etc. Then there are a few numbers and codes you have to fill in. Location code: required for transporting agencies; not needed by First Response units. OK, now the really hard part: the actual writing!

What does soap mean in EMS?

Subjective, Objective, Assessment and PlanIntroduction. The Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan (SOAP) note is an acronym representing a widely used method of documentation for healthcare providers. The SOAP note is a way for healthcare workers to document in a structured and organized way.[1][2][3]

How do you write a good PCR?

How to Write an Effective ePCR NarrativeBe concise but detailed. Be descriptive in explaining exactly what happened and include the decision-making process that led to the action. ... Present the facts in clear, objective language. ... Eliminate incorrect grammar and other avoidable mistakes. ... Be consistent and thorough.

What is a patient care report?

A patient care report is a document made mostly by the EMS or EMTs. This documented report is done after getting the call. This consists of the inf...

What should not be written in a patient care report?

What should be avoided in a patient care report is making up the information that is not true to the patient. This is why you have to be very caref...

Who is in charge of reading the patient care report?

The person or the people who will be reading the report are mostly medical authorities. When you are going to be passing this kind of report, make...

How to determine if a medical necessity is met?

A primary way to determine if medical necessity requirements are met is with documentation that specifically states why you took the actions you did on a call. For example, simply documenting “per protocol” as the reason why an IV was started or the patient was placed on a cardiac monitor is not enough.

Why do you write PCR when you call?

Writing the PCR as soon as the call is over helps because the call is still fresh in your mind . This will help you to better describe the scene and the condition the patient was in during your call.

What is PCR in healthcare?

The PCR must paint a picture of what happened during a call. The PCR serves: 1 As a medical record for the patient, 2 As a legal record for the events that took place on the call, and 3 To ensure quality patient care across the service.

Why is PCR important?

A complete and accurate PCR is essential for obtaining proper reimbursement for our ambulance service, and helps pay the bills, keeps the lights on and the wheels turning. The following five easy tips can help you write a better PCR: 1. Be specific.

What should a PCR tell?

The PCR should tell a story; the reader should be able to imagine themselves on the scene of the call.

How long does it take to complete a PCR?

Most states, and many EMS agencies themselves, often have time limits within which the PCR must be completed after the call ended – 24, 48 or 72 hours are common time limits.

Why is an IV established on the patient?

This specifically explains why an IV was established on the patient and states facts that can be used to show medical necessity for the call. The same can be said for non-emergency transports between two hospitals. Simply documenting that the patient was transported for a “higher level of care” is not good enough.

Paper Patient Care Report (PCR)

Here is an example of two versions of print out, paper PCR you can download and use in your service.

Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR)

The state of Alaska provids a free ePCR (Electronic Patient Care Report) system allowing communities to customize their run report forms to match their specific community needs.

Thanks for joining us!

Today marks the first in our Documentation 101 blog series. Using the next several blog postings, we’ll be attempting to put together a few coaching blogs to help all of you become better EMS documenters.

Maybe you need some basic writing help?

There’s nothing wrong in admitting that you need help. You can even better yourself, personally, by learning to communicate in writing more effectively. There are tons of self-help tools on the Internet to assist you with writing and grammar skills.

To the Rescue!

We’re not finished. As part of this documentation series, we’ll include some specific steps to make you a better documenter. Make your goal to be the best documenter that your department has and you’re well on your way to PCR writing success.

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Be Specific

Paint A Picture of The Call

  • The PCR must paint a picture of what happened during a call. The PCR serves: 1. As a medical record for the patient, 2. As a legal record for the events that took place on the call, and 3. To ensure quality patient care across the service. PCRs should go beyond merely stating that a patient was picked up at a certain location, transported to anothe...
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Do Not Fall Into Checkbox Laziness

  • EMS professionals have long been promised a PCR that basically writes itself. Electronic PCR softwareis a great tool and can improve the efficiency of PCR completion. However, simply clicking a box or making a selection from a drop-down menu cannot be a substitute for your words in the form of a clear, concise, accurate and descriptive clinical narrative. An EMS provide…
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Complete The PCR as Soon as Possible After A Call

  • Most states, and many EMS agencies themselves, often have time limits within which the PCR must be completed after the call ended – 24, 48 or 72 hours are common time limits. While it is always important to comply with time limits, there are benefits to getting your PCR completed as soon as possible – preferably right after the call is completed and before your shift ends. In a pe…
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proofread, proofread, Proofread

  • The easiest way to improve your PCR is to proofread before submitting it. We understand the dilemma, after writing the sixth PCR for the day, and having 10 minutes left in the shift, the last thing anyone wants to do is sit there and reread what they have just written. But that is exactly what needs to be done. Poor grammar and spelling is the easiest way to have your abilities calle…
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