Wow Praxis! We demoed that for about six weeks. Didn't know it had all those problems. The concept processor and the bell shaped curve just seemed very cool.
As to your questions, please give me carte blanche here -- just trying to help. There are so many ways to use the application for communication. I have long since given up thinking my way is the only way. But, I still tout it. One thing is I have never quite understood the way some people's work flow goes. First, I think that a lot of people try to make the EMR do too much work in the communication. Some will see the patient, then send the chart to the nurse with orders, then he or she send it back, then the doctor sends it to reception. The chart is everywhere. Most of these are sent with the chart not signed off. No wonder so many lose the note.
It always seems as though these work flows are for offices as large as a football field. Here's how we do it. (Again, just one way). We never use the chart to communicate to anyone. And, we only use messages for patient messages: Jane Smith needs more Vicodin. Is that OK? Which I answer. What we use for everything else is a network instant message. These are fast, HIPAA compliant, can be sent to one or more people and best of all, you know when they open it. So, I am in my office and my MA sends a message and it pops up and says 2 and also has a notification sound. I send it right back without having to type anything, and she knows I am informed. I then go to the room. I see the patient, print out any meds or eRx, x-rays or blood tests (printer in rooms), and sign off the chart. Now this is because we don't use the Superbill on the EMR. It leaves a lot to be desired. A PM is in the works. I put the flag up for immunization or nebs or whatever. If it is a WCC, she knows it is for shots and she is aware. Anything else, I simply walk down to her station and tell her. Neb in room 2 or whatever. Personally, I am not big on using the EMR to let her know as she could be in a different room or in the front office, who knows. And, I will say the biggest issue I have with AC is the fact that messages aren't refreshed, so she could not see that message forever. Now if I am seeing a baby who needs an O2 Sat, I can use the instant messenger, and I will see that she received it. And, she comes to the room while I finish up. Again, verbal communication before I leave the room. If she doesn't answer, I just message the front desk, and they always know where she is. There are two good instant messengers. We use ipmsg. they are both free.
I guess you use the billing part of the program. I surmise this, because your post makes alerting the biller seem very important. For me to try to help, I guess I need more info. Our biller takes Thursdays off, so any quick notification isn't important to us. And, I guess I am not sure why. Everyone on here knows I abhor paper and am as digital and computerized an office on here. But, we do use paper Superbills. I generally walk these down as I think the patients like it, but it gives me more communication, and they know that anything they need, such as a signature or the Dunkin' Donuts card, will be handled quickly.
If you do need to use the electronic method for your biller, then sign off your chart so it's done. Then reopen it, click on Forward Chart (bottom right) and send to your biller. You can even type a message.
Now, since I don't use this part, I may be giving bad information. Maybe she needs to get the chart before it is signed off.
Hope this helps.
