I wish we could send a message regarding the patient without having to minimize the note, go to the patient list, choose their name, click on the paper clip and then write the message.

OK, so I'm not the best typist

Vicki, you have a point. That would be an nice improvement. Did you send it in via the Suggested Improvements section in AC?

I did
My practice manager/husban made the suggestion of sending messages to staff instead of running so much. It has saved a lot of time and energy. To be able to message from the note would save even more time.

It would also be nice if we could have it so they could see it without updating their message box, ie flash that they are new messages or something like that.

"You have Mail"

We could always ask Jon to give us Bert and FAP's famous "Ding Dong, Avon calling" bell....

We definitely need an auto-refresh. It's not hard to do. I don't know how many times, I have been ready to go home only to do something in AC, and see three important messages fill the screen. AARRGGHH!! Imagine an email program where the email didn't go directly to the inbox. At least on non webmail programs.


Vicki, if you tell me EXACTLY what you are trying to accomplish, I may be able to help.

Hi Bert,
When I am with a pt, at your suggestion I have them have the flowsheet up and ready for me when I walk in the room (great suggestion!). I often find during the visit I want to have more labs drawn, a breathing treatment, immunizations, etc. I know the whole idea is to send the chart back and forth-that's too time consuming. any help would be appreciated. Thanks. vr

Vicki,

Are you simply wanting a method to notify staff that you need something done? If so, try one of the free messenger programs such as Yahoo Messenger, Google's, or Windows Messenger. Download it on each computer and set up user names for all the staff. You can then send an instant message to whomever you need (remain HIPPA conscious and do not use full names or critical info) and the message will light up on their toolbar alerting them to your needs. For example, before I leave the room I might message the MA that I need an EKG here (each room has me as a different user so they know where I am) and, by the time I exit the room the EKG machine and MA are there waiting.
Works great for me.

Leslie

I'm not quite sure yahoo messenger, windows messenger etc would make the grade of complying with HIPAA.

However this does point to the need for some kind of an INTERNAL MESSAGING system.

Neither would AC if the user used it improperly. One can send a message just fine without giving up any vital patient information. It works for me.

Leslie

AC by definition requires you to use it on an internal network.

Instant Messaging, unless you are using an internal communication server, by definition, requires your message to traverse the internet.

I'm not suggesting it cannot be done...the question is what is the risk?

I use IP Messenger - it only works in the loca network, does not go on the internet. You can download from IPMSG.org and use on your intranet --- works great and the staff does not use it to talk to other people like the potential for Yahoo, etc.

BTW -- this program was compliments of BERT who told me about it.

Steven, thank you, this is exactly what I meant by an "internal communication server/service."

Thanks for the Kudos Steven.

A little background. I know I am prone to hyperbole, but I could get a job reviewing intranet messengers. I have literally looked at and used over 30 of these over the past few years. I have the downloads to show for it and the lack of too much money for buying some. For some reason, many would work for a month or so and then all of a sudden forget what an IP address was.

Many had user licenses, which on a domain is awful, because each computer may have five users. so there is the potential for 35 users in our office.

I can tell you that WITHOUT A DOUBT IP Messenger is the best LAN messenging system ever made or at least that I have used. And, it is free. It does take a little tweaking to make it look good and work well, but we have used it for months now. The really cool thing about IP Messenger is that it not only detects the name of the PC, IP address of the PC and the user of the PC (on a domain), but it does all three at once. This is helpful, because Mary may be on the computer, RECEPTION, and Tina may be on computer CHECKOUT like usual. This way you always know who is messaging you from what computer. The IP address isn't that helpful, but it does begin to teach your staff (if they don't know) about IP protocols, etc. You can send to multiple people or one and you can send a locked message so a patient can't open it. Shouldn't have to do that much. The only bad thing about it is the icon, but we changed it to a small grey telephone. And, it's free.

I must say that this one was the last resort. I was just about to go with an instant messenger like Yahoo, etc.

It's kind of two different things at once. It is amazingly simple, but it is not user friendly at first. For example, I used it for five days, before I realized if you right click on the toolbar, many more options are available. And, they were exactly the same options I was looking for.

www.ipmsg.org

Steven, How can I learn to be concise like you?

The trick to being concise is to always be behind and trying to catch up........makes you speedy, you guys are lucky that my typing does not make you read as fast as I normally talk.

omg, talk about talking fast. Of course, I rationalize that people want to hear me talk fast since I talk so much! Can anyone believe that?

for this (when we're in a note and want to send a message), we open the yellow sticky note and send a message that way. altho it stays around, we change the yellow sticky later. it might have other info (balance due, etc), so it's not the most ideal way, but it prevents having to minimize notes.

Sounds like a nice work around. Thanks for the suggestion.

It works. Thanks so much djkym!!