Anyone who has ever used a piece of software has found themselves asking “why doesn’t it do “x!” An electronic health record (EHR) is no exception and perhaps is even more likely to generate an extensive wish list from the users as you think about the nuances of the workflow for each practice.

Last week Practice EHR unveiled a series of system enhancements that just may shorten our client’s wish list. The changes may be subtle – like being able to view the amount collected at the time of the visit from the Scheduling Day Sheet, or the ability to track messages by specified filters within the Messages screen of the patient’s chart. Wouldn’t it be great to track messages reviewed – but not yet resolved? You asked, we answered.

You asked for the ability to change the document type once records were scanned, or migrated, into Practice EHR. We answered that request. There is a new icon within the Documents tab of the patient’s chart next to each existing document. Click that icon and you can change the document type from say a progress note to an operative report or imaging report for more organization. Spoiler alert – there will soon be even more functionality within this Documents folder. Reach out to your implementation specialist for more information if this is an area of interest.

Some changes may be more apparent as you see a “Save” button on the top of each of your chart notes. The system has always saved data quietly behind the scenes, but there is an increased feeling of security when you can click “save” as you move from one section to the next within the chart. This can be especially useful when you have multiple team members working back/forth within the same chart. The “save” encounter button has been removed, as this function is completed with the “save” chart function.

You asked for the ability to sort within the assessment and problem list, and we’ve answered that request. You will now need a new layout and functionality within the Assessment portion of a chart note. The user will have the ability to choose the primary diagnosis – key as you think about the ability to transfer from the Impression to the Encounter form.

One of the biggest “asks” for our therapy clients was answered this release as the icons within the past visits shown from the home Chart tab will now display the name of the template be it Initial Evaluation, Daily, or a Discharge. The name of the template was also added to the header within the chart note to reduce confusion when reviewing past documentation. For those in other specialties, the name of the template has been added to the visit detail screen of the encounter.

One more subtle, but key ask was answered for those in the billing department. DME services require the name of the ordering provider on the claim form. Previously, this required additional steps into the billing section of Practice EHR and well, lots of extra clicks. We answered your requests by adding the “Ord Prov” to the visit detail screen of the encounter. One screen, one click and that requirement is met.

Adapting a software to the needs of your practice can seem challenging, but at Practice EHR we take customer requests to heart and implement those that we hear will have the most impact on the efficiency of your practice.

Read March 2020 Release Notes