Attached is the list of Primary Symptom (eSituation.09) and Other Associated Symptoms (eSituation.10) accepted by VPHIB. We are committed to being flexible with the submission of symptoms, but need to utilize best practices based upon ICD10-CM diagnosis codes. When an agency determines it needs to collect an symptom that is not listed; a request to add an additional symptom will need to be submitted to OEMS prior to submission.

Agencies and software vendors are encouraged to request additional symptom codes as early as possible. Upon request to add an symptom, OEMS will evaluate the request and determine if the requested symptom is duplicate to an existing code or if a better code should be used based on the national EMS data standard.

OEMS will take one or more of the following actions when additional symptoms are requested:

• If the symptom is available within ICD10-CM.
• Add the additional symptom to the VPHIB symptom lists.
• Review existing codes for an equivalent symptom and advise the agency/vendor of the correct/better code to use.
• If the symptom being requested already exists we may advise the agency/vendor to simply re-label its symptom.
• If the symptom already exist; OEMS may add the requested symptom to VPHIB, but have the new symptom code map to an existing symptom.
• If the symptom is not available within ICD10-CM; OEMS will work with NEMSIS TAC, our vendor, and other states to determine how to best collect the symptom being requested. This could be a timely process and agencies/vendors may need to create a custom element to capture the requested symptomn.

Agencies are highly encouraged to avoid creating mappings within their software products when setting up symptom and other lists. Mapping should be a last resort in order to prevent breaking the data standard and having data quality issues. Consult OEMS prior creating any mappings that are connected with the mandatory data element.