(Last Updated On: June 21, 2021)

Here are some of the main highlights in ChartMaker® Medical Suite 2018.2 (file version 6.5.4). To read a full list of enhancements, view the Release Notes.

Where can I find it?

Clinical: Chart Notes (Note tab)

What do I need to know?

The system has been updated to export PDF copies of chart notes to the patient’s ChartMaker® PatientPortal, in addition to the usual Note Summary and electronic results already being exported. This new enhancement provides an alternative solution that also supports the requirements against Information Blocking as outlined in the 21st Century Cures Act (21CCA). With this change, when a chart note is signed, that signed note in its entirety will be converted to PDF and then exported to the PatientPortal upon closing of the patient’s chart, if that patient is enabled for Patient Access and is in an active state (not in a suspended state) for PatientPortal. However, PDF copies of chart notes will not be generated for auto-drug logs, auto In-House Orders, batch signing of documents, new messages/tasks, and PatientPortal messages. Also, when the PDF copy of the chart note is created it will not contain any information configured in a Confidentiality widget within the chart note. The confidential information configured in that widget will be excluded from the exported PDF copy of a chart note that is exported to the patient’s PatientPortal.

An indicator in the bottom-right of the Note Header will appear for patient’s that are activated for the PatientPortal, indicating whether the Note to PDF export functionality is on or off based on whether the Export PDF copy of chart note to Patient Portal signing preference is active or not (see the Preferences — Signing Updates entry for further details). When the preference is active, a green PDF icon will be displayed followed by ON. If the preference is deactivated, a grayed-out PDF icon will be displayed followed by OFF. Do note, the indicator will not be displayed for patient’s whose PatientPortal has been suspended via the PatientPortal Practice Administration.

Likewise, when the Note to PDF is active, you can exclude chart notes from being exported, should a medical decision be made that it is in the patient’s best interest to do so. A new Release to Patient option is available in the Note Header that defaults to selected for new chart notes and when opening legacy notes. If you unselect this option, then both the PDF copy of the note and the Note Summary will not be exported to the PatientPortal after the note is signed. Exclusions must comply with at least one of the Eight Information Blocking Exceptions outlined in the 21st Century Cures Act.

Do note, the Release to Patient option will be disabled and grayed out for patients that have the Do not export on note, lab and scan signing option checked in the Patient Access dialog, and for those patients whose PatientPortal has been suspended via the PatientPortal Practice Administration, and for users who only have Read (only) Chart privileges.

The Release to Patient option can also be modified for signed chart notes.

Also, when the Release to Patient option is unchecked, the Send note to Patient Access option that is accessed by right-clicking in the chart note will be disabled and grayed out*. If you then check the Release to Patient option in that note, the Send note to Patient Access option will then be activated allowing you to manually send a PDF copy of the chart note and a Note Summary for that chart note.

 

How do I use it?

Upon upgrade, this functionality will be available as outlined above.

Where can I find it?

Clinical: Chart > Export > Patient Data

What do I need to know?

The Print Previous Summaries dialog (accessed via the Previous Summaries button in the Export Patient Data dialog) has been updated to include any exports of PDF copies of chart notes that were previously sent to the patient’s PatientPortal, allowing you to reprint these documents, as needed. These PDF copies of chart notes will be indicated by a Summary Type of Note PDF and a Destination of PatientPortal. These documents can be reprinted in a similar manner as the other documents in this area.

How do I use it?

Upon upgrade, these options will be available as outlined above.

Where can I find it?

Clinical: Edit > Preferences

What do I need to know?

The Signing tab has been redesigned with a new General section and a new Patient Access section to better organize the signing preferences and their respective functionality. Likewise, a new Export PDF copy of chart note to Patient Portal preference has been added to the Patient Access section, that allows you to enable and disable the export of a PDF copy of chart notes to the patient’s PatientPortal upon signing the note. This option defaults to enabled (checked). Whenever this new option is modified, it will be tracked in the Audit Trail.

How do I use it?

Upon upgrade, this option will be available as outlined above. To use this option, simply check, or uncheck, the corresponding option, and then click the Save button.

Where can I find it?

Clinical: Template Editing > Checklist > Find Check List Properties

What do I need to know?

The Include as drop-down list in the Finding Check List Properties dialog has been updated to include an Anesthesia, an Interventions, a Medical Equipment, a Nutrition, an Objective, a Procedure Findings, and a Subjective option.

When the Anesthesia option is selected for a checklist, any data entered in the checklist will be pulled into any CCDA document type that has an Anesthesia section; when the Interventions option is selected for a checklist, any data entered in the checklist will be pulled into any CCDA document type that has an Interventions section; when the Medical Equipment option is selected for a checklist, any data entered in the checklist will be pulled into any CCDA document type that has a Medical Equipment section; when the Nutrition option is selected for a checklist, any data entered in the checklist will be pulled into any CCDA document type that has a Nutrition section; when the Objective option is selected for a checklist, any data entered in the checklist will be pulled into any CCDA document type that has an Objective section; when the Procedure Findings option is selected for a checklist, any data entered in the checklist will be pulled into any CCDA document type that has a Procedure Findings section; and when the Subjective option is selected for a checklist, any data entered in the checklist will be pulled into any CCDA document type that has a Subjective section.

How do I use it?

Upon upgrade, these options will be available as outlined above. To use one of these options for a checklist, simply select the applicable option, and then click the OK button.

Where can I find it?

Practice Manager: Appointment > Select Patient

What do I need to know?

The Select Patient tab of the Appointment screen has been updated with a new Reschedule Appointments sub-tab that will contain any appointments for the patient that need to be rescheduled. This new sub-tab functions in similar manner as the Reschedule Appointments tab but will only display appointments that need to be rescheduled for the patient accessed. Likewise, when prompted to view the reschedule list via the pop-up message when accessing a patient in the Appointment screen, if you click Yes you will be redirected to this Reschedule Appointments sub-tab.

When in the Reschedule Appointments sub-tab, you filter appointments by Practice, should the patient be in multiple practices. You can view the Appointment Details for an appointment by double-clicking that appointment, or by highlighting it and then clicking the Details button. You can reschedule an appointment by highlighting the appointment and then clicking the Reschedule button. Or you can delete an appointment by highlighting the applicable appointment and then clicking the Delete button. Once rescheduled or deleted, the appointment will no longer appear in this sub-tab.

How do I use it?

Upon upgrade, these options will be available and can be used as outlined above.

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