Robin,
I have been using Updox for over a year, but do not use the online scheduling because our office uses Lytec 11 for the PM/scheduler.
I use both templates and forms. The templates are designed to send from Dr. to the patient. The forms designed to send from patient to Dr.
The templates can be used for educational purposes, and individualized, so the health maintenance items, such as diet, exercise, diabetic diet/CHO counting etc. the templates are attached to the patient summary and my nurse will attach specific templates which I indicate in the summary end of note. I educate at the visit and then this is so noted in the summary and then the patient will have the educational material attached to the summary for future reference. Most like, very few complaints with this.
The forms can be filled out by the patient at home on their computer, and consist of appointment requests, Rx requests, demographic data, and the 2 page Medicare required annual visit survey.
Some patients use the forms, probably 2/3 do not and just secure message with Rx requests or appointment requests. But either way the portal has been extremely helpful in cutting down phone tag and voice mails, and most patients have come to really appreciate getting a hold of me in this fashion.
I archive all stuff, which is kept at Updox for at least 6 months on their server.
We do very little scanning now that the hospital, outside physicians and pharmacies have my Updox fax number, but when we do scan, it is usually directly into AC or you could to Updox, either way.
Yes, I will save the read messages to AC.
One feature is the point of entry that patients will read whenever they sign onto the portal. It is there that I will put information such as vacation time, basic formalities/expectations of how to use the portal, not to use the portal for emergencies etc....
