Hi everyone. I’d like to introduce myself and give you all a huge thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you.

I’m the it_wife of a family doctor in central PA who has been in practice since 93 and has just gone out on his own. In practical terms this means that I have a doctor who can’t type but is very efficient with the paper templates he has developed and refined over the years. He was determined to start off with an ehr system rather than switching over a few years down the road. We opened the doors on July 1st and it has been quite an adventure, to say the least.

Here are just a few of the posts I’ve found to be incredibly useful:

1. John, the guy who had the cojones to write in plain English, “What are the hidden costs that are going to piss me off later?” Between that sentence and this board, I was sold on AC.

2. Everyone on the thread that explains how to get the snapscan to work with Amazing Charts even though it looks like it won’t. Fujitsu Scanners Snapscan and Twain

3. Faxes. How I have come to hate faxes. Thank you Leslie. We don’t use Paperport, but I’ve copied nearly everything else. My Paperport Document

4. Tablets. This was actually a make or break part of using any emr altogether for a number of different reasons, but most especially because the hunt and peck method is slow and does not induce patient confidence in their health care provider. There were lots of good posts about possible solutions on this board. Starting New Practice - need your blessings

5. I can’t remember the name of the guy on this board who’s wife is the doctor. But the other day when my doc was having a meltdown because something was going wonky with the computers (again), I was able to keep it together only because I knew that this too was a shared experience. I was also able to rescue the tablet before it got stabbed to death.

There are lots more posts here that helped us get up and running, which says a lot. New things are stressful. We had a new building, new staff, new computers, and a new way of charting. Along with learning an ehr system, we were ordering supplies, deciding where to put the little fridge for storing medicines, etc. Although there were times this felt like a disaster, when I take a step back and evaluate, I'm stunned by how well things are going (knock on wood). And a large part of that is because I have learned by the collective experience shared here.

Of the six members of our “team,” I am the only one who knows how to make a shortcut on the desktop. No kidding. The tablets came with Vista. The server has Windows XP. We do have real IT guys who set everything up, but . . . all it takes is one little blip and everyone is in full freak-out mode. Lots of those blips I’ve been able to fix because someone took the time and effort to share how they did it. So when I say things have gone well, it is with a serious sense of amazement.

Thank you all very much.

Barbara

Barb,

Welcome and thank you too. I think most of us here agree that the best thing about AC is that it attracts people and doctors like you. Most all of us are in smaller practices and stand a little to the left of convention. Congratulations on striking off on your own. I am confident you both will not be sorry. I left a 5 doctor group 12 years ago and have never regretted it.
I had never even turned on a computer before 1998. My staff nearly had breakdowns the day I told them I was buying one and we were going to learn how to use it together. But from that day on, taking our time and getting comfortable with one change at a time, we have progressed impressively. (I am still the only one who knows how to change the screen savers which is fun because the staff never knows what picture of them, morphed or otherwise, might end up on their computer's desktop each morning).
When I started scheduling patients electronically almost 8 years ago, my receptionist was also marking them down in the schedule book. When I finally decided to eliminate the book I literally had to pry it from her hands (she was also the one who, during fire drills grabbed her purse and the schedule book before running out of the office!!)
So, the point here is, one is never too old or too set in their ways to change. I am confident that you and your husband will do just fine. And, if you need really good advice, call Bert

Leslie

Thanks for the kudos Leslie.

I am sure there are others, but you are probably thinking of Srini who goes by Nephron. I agree. He is very helpful.

I am so glad that what we discussed here helped you and your husband. We are all really just trying our best to stay afloat, and yet do a really good job, and be more efficient. This group in particular is like a real family to me, and I feel that we are the pioneers for a "new day" . In fact we are all leading the pack of what the future holds in medicine. Do not waiver, have confidence, and know that you are all that "good". God bless....

I agree. And, probably the thing that makes AC special besides the actual program is the user board. Every once in a while a little flicker of a flame war will break out (enough to keep things interesting), but 95% of the time, everyone is nice and helpful to everyone. And, if we did have a boat, it would have to be a big one, because we are all in the same one.

Well, I call dibbs on being on your boat, Bert, because it would probably also have a cargo hole filled with lobster and drawn butter!

Leslie, who is still looking for her Ark

You people from the eastside don't know that Dungeness Crab and Steamer clams are so much better than Lobsters.....

Well, Steven, bring them on the boat. I thought you were sending some lobsters anyway, lol.

The newest version of Phreesia allows you to preenter the pt. so that when they come in the receptionist clicks on their name - hands the pad and they only have to answer a few questions. Version 5 interface is supposed to be going to allow you to download from the AC schedule to the pads and reduce the workload. The Phreesia pad also checks a variety of insurance information sites and lists copays, deductibles left, benefits, etc. Also checks eligibility at time of service -- can verify Medicaid eligibility here. Worth a look

Steven,

I thought the Dungeness crabs were all fished out up there. But I agree, they are tasty.

Leslie

We're going to make every effort to attend the next conference so we can introduce ourselves and meet everyone! And a flame war? With such an unconventional, erudite group of people? Perish the thought!

Barb

Again, welcome aboard,

Bert, Steve, I am looking forward to this boat, whether it be east or west coast. We don't have anything but croppies here in the midwest (and some other fish).

When I last talked to Jon several months ago, they were leaning to having an AC conference next year once the dust settles on V5 or such.

Well, Adam and I are looking at a ski boat, lol. Could probably hold about five people and a bucket of clams and Lobsters and Leslie could supply the Heinekens.

Barb, you weren't around for the great EULA wars, which most of us found to be rather fair and Jon so graciously even made it more than fair. There was also a time when a few not so nice people (IMHO) came over from another EMR board and caused the board to get a bit hotter. But, all things can provide good, and we were fortunate to have Al Borg join us with his wisdom on computers and vast knowledge of the politics of healthcare.

Ya, lets a get a boat, move to Fla, and live in the bayou (sp?)
We can play w/ the gators and forget about 3rd party payers

Now that is a picture I would relish!!! Adam and Bert in their bib over"hauls", barefoot, Beechnut in their jaws, copper still boiling in the back, sitting on the porch of their swamp castle tossing chickens wrapped in HCFAs to their pet gators. Maybe throwing in an insurance executive once in a while too just to liven things up. You go guys!!

I might join you on your lobster boat but I draw the line at swamp boats, snakes and gators.

Leslie

No bayous in Florida, just retention ponds. You're thinking of Louisiana and Mississippi.

I second the motion to feed an insurance exec to the gators though. Take pictures.

Sorry John, my ignorance revealed.
But I'm still in favor of retiring at age 36 to a much simpler life, involving just a swamp boat, a tent, and a corncob pipe.

But I've tried a lot of seafood and I'm hard pressed to find anything much better than a 3 lbs Maine Lobster, and raw oysters from Pemequid Bay on the half-shell.

Hello Barb,
Welcome. I decided to go out on my own just a little over a year ago. The User Board has been one of the greatest sources of support that I have had. I still feel like a newbie, but know that if I can help you, feel free to contact me. I love AC, the user boards and the support folks.

Good luck with your new adventure.

Hey Bert and Adam-
I hope that the next user's conference is set up at least 6 months in advance-need to have time to clear by schedule and to get a GPS to find the party boat.

Leslie,

You're way too funny. I can see why your practice is full. Your patients must love having their minds taken off what ails them.

Vicki, You are getting a one-day ban the next time you refer to yourself as a newbie. You are damn near approaching oldbie status and I have learned much from you and you are one of the most revered (sp?) member on the board.


John, Don't remind me of the endless drivers over your "bayous" on I-10. The hideous stretch between Texas and Arizona is heaven compared to that. But, we do have the Everglades. They are close and they are ridden (sp?) with gators. Would be fun just to be on airboats and watch the insurance reps walk through there.

Now a funny story: I used to live in Orange Park, a suburb of Jacksonville. My friends and I (around 17 or 18) heard of this place where you could see Gators. And, gators love marshmallows, see. And, gators are cool creatures so we were told. So, we went there at night with our Kraft bag full of gator treats. We need that pointing at their eyes with a flshlight would give us a great red reflex. (If not, we could help nature by referring them to a gatorophthalmologist for leukoria. So, we are standing on the side of the crick (pretty wide), and we saw these gator eyes in the middle. Just pretty as can be, sitting thee, not moving. After about 30 minutes we began to wonder. They were actually not gator eyes, it was a reflection of the radio tower five miles away. Damn. Looked just like gator eyes.

So next night we go back again. Why? Cause we're young and stupid AND from Florida. So, we see the same gator eyes but another pair just next to them. We are like, there can't be two radio towers. So, my friend threw a marshmallow, and the eyes moved slowly to it and SWAASSHH!! the gator chomped it. Cool! Except my friend dropped a marshmallow by the trail and a few minutes later, Chomp!. A huge gator was sitting there non 15 feet away. And, they fast. Faster than a horse, I been told. So, we dropped the whole bag of marshmallows and ran all the way back to our trucks. That's as close as I have gotten to a gator since. This is a true story or I'll write 99212s for all my Medicaid patients this week.

For Pete's sake, Adam!!! You mean to tell me you are not even 36 yet?? I have lobster crackers older than you!!

The old lady

Bert,

Great story. I've lived in Florida for 25 years and I never knew that gators liked marshmallows!

An idea is hatching, involving marshmallows, gators and the local office of a certain HMO...

Too funny. Well, they like marshmallows for a bit until they find you. And, they don't like them roasted.

Too funny. Well, they like marshmallows for a bit until they find you. And, they don't like them roasted.

Some good sites below. Especially the first and last one.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-may-14-2008/daily-colbert---gators-love-marshmallows

http://noolmusic.com/google_videos/feeding_marshmallows_to_gators.php

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregg_m/3641611855/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pMFBMpxCC0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_ceLMtzRcU&NR=1

And, my favorite. Notice the tape on his right hand's fingers. Hmmm.... wonder what that was from? This guy is nuts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shB-bXwDgfE&NR=1

OK, I am not a newbie, LOL.
I wouldn't have made it to being an oldie without the gang.
Love the gator story.
Have a great week.

Bert - "The hideous stretch between Texas and Arizona is heaven compared to that."

I am in that stretch!

I feel for you. At least when I made the curve at L.A. to head to Washington, I had norther California and Oregon to look forward to. And, if I had time, could even do the Pacific Coast Highway, if that is the proper term.

We love you Vicki whether you're a newbie or an oldie.

I signed up for a preview of Phreesia, and am very interested in trying it out w/ Ver. 5. I will let you know how it works out.

That fellow trying to feed the gator, with evidence of a right hand injury, reminds me of us Doc's who continue to fish the same reimbursement stream, only to be bit some more.

Thanks for the U tube videos. And a late thanks to all those who have helped us true "newbies" ( or slow learners!)

Tom

Thanks Tom. But, I think it is more like we are being fed to the gators.

We've been skinned alive, the meat cut from our bones, sauteed and given to the gators on silver platters.

And made into pretty shoes and handbags worn by insurance executives.

Good to hear from you Tom!

Leslie

Anyone ever heard of the six degrees of separation and know the concept?

The 6 degrees of separation. Docs who talk about retiring at 36! And other docs are feeding gators with marshmallows! While still others are boating? eating lobsters? doing something with crackers.

This is going to be a fun convention!

When and where? hehe

And what the heck? We had over 10 more years of hefty student loans to pay off when we were 36!

That was good Barb. But, of course, it has to come full circle. Like crackers to graham crackers to S'mores to Hershey's chocolate bars to Hershey PA.

Barb, you are going to be a great addition to the board and to AC in general.

Stop it Bert!!! I love S'mores and am ticked because I camped out last night, had a terrific meal over the fire and then realized none of us brought the marshmallows!!!
Just as well, I would be afraid they might attract those Indiana Gators. The Hersey's were good just the same. We did feed the turtles the chicken bones.

Leslie

LOL. I was worried about the Gators. By the way, since I am too lazy to send a PM, are you using VSS on your SBS?

Oh, and one of staff actually has this S'more machine she brings in and we have S'mores between patients. But, they have to bring milk.

They eat them when they want to. I wait until a patient looks at me exasperated, because they had to wait 25 minutes as if I were doing nothing. Then, I tell them, wait I just have some more things to do, be right back. I simply hate it when someone is upset because I am running behind.

It probably ticked them off when, after being 25 minutes late, you came into the room with marshmallow and chocolate all over your face

Leslie

LMAO. I guess it never occurs to them that you could be running behind due to someone being sick and you had to take care of them.

Exactly. Or they tell you they have to be somewhere in 10 minutes. Ummm... guess what impatient patient, I was supposed to be at the racketball court at 7PM, but looks like I will have to cancel.

You may have missed the pun: SOME MORE pun for S'more

I have always wondered what would happen if my MA told them, "He just has ten more minutes on the movie he is watching."

Like we are doing nothing.

I love to see their faces when I walk into a room, running late, apologize to them for being late and they say "Oh, that's ok. I was just lying here taking a little nap." And then I say "Really??? So was I!!!"

Leslie

LOL. Perfect.

nap. perfect. and yes Bert, I did miss the S'more pun.

What is interesting is that the person who complains that they have to be someplace, 8/10 times take more time with "one more thing" than anyone else. And it always cute when someone claims they made a big appointment for 30 min. after their appt. I've never made an appt. for after a doctor's visit in my whole life.