ESO Product Updates
ESO is fully committed to helping our customers navigate COVID-19 successfully. This web page serves as your hub of information on how to use your ESO software to best serve your community, ensure the health of your providers, and run an efficient, effective operation. Please bookmark this resource center and check back frequently for updates.
ESO Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Learn more about ESO EHR COVID-19 Features with this feature highlight one-pager.
Updated May 8, 2020
- Billing Authorization: For agencies who need to address the option for “verbal consent” for billing authorization, we have developed a video demonstrating the steps for uploading a temporary billing authorization form.
- Pre-Shift COVID-19 Screen: this can be used to survey responders at the beginning of every shift and better understand provider wellness and individual COVID-19 risk factors. Submitted survey results can be viewed in the Analytics > Survey Reports > Pre-Shift COVID-19 Screen tabular report. To learn more, including how to enable the survey, view this user guide.
- Outbreak Screening: A new outbreak screening form is now available for all ESO EHR customers. It allows agencies to configure the list of symptoms that providers should use for screening. It also enables rapid deployment during initial detection of an outbreak and while conditions and known symptoms are changing. ESO has populated and enabled a list of symptoms used for screening patients for COVID-19.
- Optional validation rules can be enabled to force compliance with completion of the form on patient contacts.
- Data collected on the form is visible on printed patient care and billing reports and can be reported through the Ad-Hoc reporting tool.
- Please note, the Outbreak Screening form requires an updated version of ESO EHR Mobile which may be deployed by auto-update or downloaded from the Admin console and deployed to your agency’s field computers. Additional information may be found in the user guide.
- Read the user guide outlining the form, associated features, and implementation or watch the training video by Dr. Brent Myers. The Outbreak Screening form requires an updated version of ESO EHR Mobile which must be downloaded from the Admin console and deployed to your agency’s field computers. Additional information may be found in the user guide.
- Impressions: The primary impression should continue to be the reason the patient requested assistance (fever, shortness of breath, etc). In collaboration with NHTSA, three new secondary impressions are now available for providers who suspect COVID-19*. Those impressions are:
- COVID-19 – Confirmed by Testing: prior to EMS interaction, the patient has confirmed COVID-19. Examples include interfacility transports, transport from clinic, etc.
- COVID-19 – Exposure to Confirmed Patient: patient has contact with a patient confirmed by testing. Examples include household members, residents at healthcare facilities with confirmed case, etc.
- COVID-19 – Suspected – no known exposure: This is for all other concerns, examples include positive travel history, exposure to suspected but not confirmed cases, etc.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Per the CDC, nine new values specific to COVID-19 have been added to the PPE list in ESO EHR. This includes five values to specifically document the reuse of PPE. To learn more, see the EHR update bulletin. Please note, tracking reuse of PPE is critical for understanding the national burn rate and demand. See CDC’s definition of “reuse” here.
- Flowchart: The following values have been added to Flowchart > Other in EHR: Surgical Mask on Patient, Specimen Swab (Nasal), Specimen Swab (Oral), Infectious Patient Alert. The new Flowchart values and a related validation rule are also available and require enablement by administrators. To learn more, see the EHR update bulletin.
- Exposures: Track personnel exposure to COVID-19 using EHR’s exposure tracking capabilities.
- A training video narrated by Dr. Brent Myers is available here. The video is approximately five minutes long and shows elements within the product for clear understanding.
- A supplementary guide has been developed to help administrators enable the fields and optional validation rules to document.
ESO Fire
Learn more about ESO Fire Incidents COVID-19 Features with this feature highlight one-pager.
Updated April 24, 2020
- Pre-Shift COVID-19 Screen: this can be used to survey responders at the beginning of every shift and better understand provider wellness and individual COVID-19 risk factors. Submitted survey results can be viewed in the Analytics > Survey Reports > Pre-Shift COVID-19 Screen tabular report. To learn more, including how to enable the survey, view this user guide.
- +1 Codes: +1 codes allow for custom tracking of incident type. Departments can choose to create a +1 code for flu-like symptoms. This can be done through Admin > Fire > Incidents > NFIRS Code Configuration> Incident Type > Select Type category (3) Rescue & EMS > (32) EMS Incident > select Add+1 Code > Create Code and Description. You can report on +1 codes through AdHoc.
- Medical PPE: Within the Units section of Fire Incidents, new values are now available to track additional medical PPE including masks and gowns. In alignment with the CDC, these values include “reuse” value options; see the CDC’s definition of “reuse” on their website. This is in the same location of the software as fire PPE and decontamination tracking.
- USFA Special Study fields: The fields for the US Fire Administration Special Study for COVID-19 have been added on the basic tab and can be completed by user and will be submitted in the NFIRS extract. The special study includes four choices to determine if and level of COVID-19 involvement.
- Creating COVID-19 exposure code: Create this code in Admin> Fire> Configurable Validation> NFIRS Code Configuration> Fire Causality Severity. Select Add +1 under Report only, including exposure to create a +1 code for COVID-19 Exposure.
- Using COVID-19 exposure code: Use the casualty report to track COVID-19 exposures. The casualty report is found by selecting Fire Service Injury at the Injury Death line on the Basic Tab.
ESO FIREHOUSE
Updated March 27, 2020
- +1 Codes: +1 codes allow for custom tracking of incident type. Departments can choose to create a +1 code for flu-like symptoms. This can be done through Tools > Look-up Tables > Incident Report Codes > Fire Report Codes > NFIRS Basic Codes > Incident Type. You can report on +1 codes through FH Queries and Reports.
- Exposure Tracking: Track responder exposures to COVID-19 as part of the Staff Activity Participant User Fields. For an implementation guide and to install, download the FIREHOUSE Software COVID-19 zip file. As a reminder, it is a best practice to back up your database before installing any update.
- Exposure Reporting: Report on responder exposures to COVID-19 via Report and Query. For an implementation guide and to install download the FIREHOUSE Software COVID-19 zip file. As a reminder, it is a best practice to back up your database before installing any update.
- Incident User Fields: Install new Incident User Fields to track confirmed or potential exposures to COVID-19 on incident level. This field captures data expected to be needed as supporting documentation when filing for reimbursements. For an implementation guide and to install, download the FIREHOUSE Software COVID-19 zip file. As a reminder, it is a best practice to back up your database before installing any update.
- USFA Special Study: User fields to meet the new Special Study requirements from USFA are now available. For an implementation guide and to install download the FIREHOUSE Software COVID-19 zip file. As a reminder, it is a best practice to back up your database before installing any update.
- PPE: “Isolation Coveralls” and five PPE reuse values are available for install on the Medical PPE fields. The ability to document PPE reuse aids your agency as well as the CDC and NEMSIS in understanding utilization rates and demand for supplies. For an implementation guide and to install download the FIREHOUSE Software COVID-19 zip file. As a reminder, it is a best practice to back up your database before installing any update.
ESO Personnel Management
Updated March 6, 2020
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Exposure Severity: By setting up a custom exposure severity, exposure to COVID-19 can easily be seen on an individual’s personnel record.
ESO Health Data Exchange (HDE)
Learn more about ESO HDE COVID-19 Features with this feature highlight one-pager.
Updated April 24, 2020
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Reporting: A pre-built report is now available for EMS agencies to see which patients had COVID-19 confirmed with the hospital (found in Global>EHR>COVID-19). With this information, EMS leaders can notify the appropriate personnel of their exposure to the virus and consider agency-wide training.
- Pre-Shift COVID-19 Screen: this can be used to survey responders at the beginning of every shift and better understand provider wellness and individual COVID-19 risk factors. Submitted survey results can be viewed in the Analytics > Survey Reports > Pre-Shift COVID-19 Screen tabular report. To learn more, including how to enable the survey, view this user guide
ESO Alerting
Updated March 19, 2020
- Alert Type: A new COVID-19 alert type for inbound patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 encounters. To activate this alert type, select the “Download Latest Case Types” from the top right menu. Within a case, “COVID-19” will be selectable from the Point of Entry > Other screen.
ESO Scheduling
Updated April 7, 2020
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Quarantine status: Allows organizations to flag employees as quarantined and prompts removal from the schedule. To use, go to Employees > Manage Employees, set the status field to “Quarantined,” and save. Organizations may specify the length of quarantine; the default is 14 days. When ready to add an employee back to the schedule, reactivate them via the Employee Profile.
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Quarantine reporting: To see which employees are or were previously quarantined, go to Employees > Employee Reports. Employees who show N/A for the end date are still in the quarantined status.
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Text messaging: Information needed by employees can easily be sent out in bulk.
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Message acknowledgment: Within Scheduling, messages can be delivered to employees and receipt of that message can be confirmed and time-stamped via the acknowledgment feature. This can help disseminate and confirm receipt of critical information.
- Custom earning codes: Additional leave as allowed through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) can be tracked through custom earning codes. To add new earning codes, go to Administrator > Keywords and then select Earning Codes and add the new codes to the list. To tie the new codes to the Timeoff (Other) item type, go to Payroll > Configure Payroll > Configure Earning Properties, and select the Timeoff (Other) item type, select a new code, and then set the appropriate options and click Add.
- Wellness Screening: Upon clocking in, employees can be promoted to complete a Wellness Survey. Indication of concerns prompts them to see their supervisor prior to shift and sends the supervisor an email with the same recommendation. To enable this feature, navigate to Timekeeping > Configure Timekeeping, check the ‘Display COVID-19 Screening During Clock In’ checkbox, and then click the green ‘Save All’ button. Use the blue ‘Edit List’ link in the upper-right hand corner of the Configure Timekeeping page to add supervisors to the email distribution list under the ‘Timekeeper Discrepancy Email Notifications’ window and associate by employee home cost center as needed. These two steps will enable the Wellness Screening prompt on the web-based timeclock and ensure managers are notified via email when an employee responds “yes” to any question. Note: This new feature is specific to web-based timeclocks – BioClocks not currently supported.
State Applications & ESO Repository
Updated March 6, 2020
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Messaging: Within the application, states can target and send messages to providers by job level, including all job levels if appropriate. This can be used to ensure accurate information and training.
ESO SafetyPAD
Updated March 27, 2020
- COVID-19 Impressions: For Secondary Impressions (eSituation.11, and eSituation.12) we have added the three impressions. See the release notes for instructions on how to activate this element for your agency. The impressions and their definitions are:
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- COVID-19 – Confirmed by Testing: prior to EMS interaction, the patient has confirmed COVID-19. Examples include interfacility transports, transport from clinic, etc.
- COVID-19 – Exposure to Confirmed Patient: patient has contact with a patient confirmed by testing. Examples include household members, residents at healthcare facilities with confirmed case, etc.
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- COVID-19 – Suspected – no known exposure: This is for all other concerns, examples include positive travel history, exposure to suspected but not confirmed cases, etc.
- PPE: For element eOther03, nine new lookup values have been added, including four to specifically denote PPE reuse. See the release notes for instructions on how to activate this element for your agency.
- Procedures: For element eProcedures.03 (Procedures), we have added the following procedures: Surgical Mask on Patient, Specimen Swab (Nasal), and Specimen Swab (Throat). See the release notes for instructions on how to activate this element for your agency.
Reporting
Updated March 31
- ESO Electronic Health Record
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- In the Ad-Hoc Reporting module > Global Reports > EHR there is a new COVID-19 folder that provides pre-built reports for surveillance of encounters in your community:
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- COVID-19 Encounters – Reports incidents where the primary/secondary impressions are related to COVID-19 or SARS or the hospital outcome shows a confirmed case of COVID-19
- COVID-19 Screen – Reports incidents with the primary/secondary impression of SARS paired with signs and symptoms of COVID-19
- COVID-19 Surveillance Report – Reports incidents where the primary/secondary impressions contain COVID-19
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- Interim 2019-nCoV Surveillance Report – Reports incidents with flu-like symptoms and travel outside the country
- Outbreak Screening Form: COVID-19 – Reports patient contacts where the form was used to screen for COVID-19
- PPE Report By Provider By Incident – Reports a list of personnel and the documented PPE for all incidents
- PPE Report for Influenza related Impressions – Reports a list of personnel and the documented PPE for incidents where the primary/secondary impression is Influenza, SARS, or any COVID-19 impression
Access Report Folder
- In ESO Analytics > EHR there are new reports related to COVID-19:
- COVID-19 by Destination Name – Provides a breakdown of destinations by name for patients with impressions of COVID-19
- Records with a Temp >= 100.4 – Provides a breakdown of patient care records to help identify patients with a key symptom of COVID-19
- PPE Usage by EMS Provider – Provides insight into the use of PPE by providers where the primary/secondary impression contains COVID-19
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- ESO Health Data Exchange
- For EMS Agencies
- Hospital destination with COVID-19 Impressions: This report provides a breakdown of the destinations by names for patients with impressions of COVID-19.
- COVID-19 Encounters: A pre-built report is now available for EMS agencies to see which patients had COVID-19 confirmed with the hospital (found in Global>EHR>COVID-19). With this information, EMS leaders can notify the appropriate personnel of their exposure to the virus and consider agency-wide training.
- For Hospitals
- Total Transport – COVID19 Primary or Secondary Impression: Patients who EMS has identified as having been exposed to, confirmed with, or suspected to have COVID-19. Watch the training video and access the report.
- Total Transport – ILI Primary or Secondary Impression: Patients who EMS has identified as having symptoms of, or exposure to Influenza Like Illness. Watch the training video and access the report.
- For EMS Agencies
- ESO Fire Incidents
- COVID-19 – All Personnel Involved: For customers who use ESO Fire Incidents and ESO Electronic Health Record and have a CAD interface, this report shows all personnel involved in an incident where COVID-19 was documented as an impression. Access report folder.
- COVID-19 – Personnel on Incidents where EHR Outbreak Form was Used: For customers who use ESO Fire Incidents and ESO Electronic Health Record and have a CAD interface, this report shows all personnel involved in an incident where ESO EHR Outbreak form was used. Access report folder.
- Medical PPE: To report on medical PPE as tracked in ESO Fire Incidents, please see the Ad-Hoc report in Global > Fire > Medical PPE. Access report folder.
- ESO Firehouse
- COVID-19 Exposures: Report on responder exposures to COVID-19 via Report and Query.
- ESO Scheduling
- Quarantine: To see which employees are or were previously quarantined, go to Employees > Employee Reports. Employees who show N/A for the end date are still in the quarantined status.
- Custom earning codes: To see hours coded with the new earning codes in support of FFCRA, go to Payroll > Payroll Reports > Weekly Payroll by Earning Code, select a pay period, and click Query. To view hours coded with the new earning codes over a date-span for all or individual employees, go to Scheduling > Schedule Reports > Schedule Item Summary/Detail, select the code or codes you wish to view along with other relevant display options, and click Query.
Other Information
This resource center will be continually updated with the latest information. Please check back in the coming days, weeks, and months for the most up-to-date information for supporting your community and providers. For general information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization websites.
*COVID-19 secondary impressions are not available in California in order to maintain state submission compliance.