You make an Excel spreadsheet on your desktop. On it you make a Problem list and lab sheet, etc. Anything you want on your "face sheet." You can put a flow sheet, acute and chronic problem list, whatever. Save this somewhere your receptionist or whoever puts in the new patients can readily find. Make SURE you keep an extra copy on a CD or something.
Using Excel to make a flow sheet allows you 1,000 times more flexibility. Every patient is different so you could using different sheets, but I would recommend using the sheet/tab feature at the bottom. So the template could have a tab for diabetics and their lab flowsheets. You could have a tab for your coumadin patients, etc. The tabs can be renamed and made different colors, etc. We use page one for the problem list, etc., since AC doesn't truly have a PROBLEM list but a running list of diagnoses. You can add meds or anything you like on the first sheet. We put consultant visits, etc. You can put links to files and/or links to websites. You could place a link to his or her email if you want to send results or reminders. You could link to a certain Word template to write a letter.
If you really want to utilize it as well as possible, I would recommend hiring an Excel guru to help set it up. Excel is a VERY powerful spreadsheet and database program. So, you could allow it to add and average your HbA1Cs or do the same with your INRs, etc. You can do all these things yourself, but I found having an expert set it up made it look extremely clean and much more helpful. Plus, she kept the template version since I knew I would end up deleting mine.
Oh, and of course, you can delete sheets and add sheets on the fly. So by importing this into a patient's chart, simply clicking on the ImportedItems tab will bring up your flowsheet.
Then, when a new patient comes in (John Smith, DOB: 8/8/78), you enter him into those spots on the flow sheet. Have your receptionist import this into the patient's chart.
I label it the following way for maximum exposure. You can do it anyway you like:
Under Item Type: I write Face Sheet
Under Item Subject: I put in a "." This makes for the smallest icon area. You can put in the name or whatever, but I like a period. I click sign off and leave the comment section blank.
When the nurse opens the chart, she opens the imported item Excel sheet and minimizes the chart. When I walk in the room, with the screen closed, there is all the info I need. The cool thing is I can open it as an Excel, save it, and send it to consultants.
Hope this helps. Let me know.
Cheers!
