Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Considering AC and have some questions

Hi all

I am thinking about going with AC and linking to Lytec PM, and using AC just for EMR. Couple of questions if anyone has some experience in this area.

I heard that AC database (Sql Server) cannot be on the same server as the Lytec DB - is this true?

I would be using X-Link to move data back and forth - how does this actually work? Do I need X-Link on each workstation or is there a master workstation that has one copy of x-link? It is automatically initiated or do I have to manually run something all the time to get data back and forth.

When importing images, do the images get stored in the database or on a file share and the DB just points to the image files?

I am having a heck of a time getting anyone from AC to answer these questions so I thought I would ask those who actually live the product.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Kevin Barnes

I dont use X link as the cost is high and I understand that upgrades and updates are frequent - I do double entry and this has worked well for me for over 10 years. I basically find that entering all the info into AC and then print/copying a sheet to enter into my PM works well and gives my biller a chance to make sure everything is entered correctly - I am amazed even now that various people in my office will enter information and have primary, secondary, etc screwed up or the name of the insurance not right and all this can really affect billing accuracy.


In regards to imported images - AC takes whatever you import into its own directory (Program Files/Amazing Charts/Imported Items/______ for each pt. such as 00001,00002, etc.

We are a two doctor family practice and currently use Lytec too. The doctors are considering AC as well and would like any ones feedback about x-link.

Why can it not be on the same server?

I use Lytec also. We do double entry into both programs, not X-Link.
Lytec also uses SQL server, and I was told that it may cause a conflict with AC.
I am using both on my main computer (peer-to-peer) without problems, but I am using an older version of Lytec that uses a different version of SQL than current AC.

Thanks for the responses so far.

I am glad to hear about the import files to a directory - that makes things easier for backups.

As for the same computer, I guess it depends on how Lytec 2011 creates its 2008 SQL server database. In 2006 it is a named instance and I am sure that AC would not use the same name, so technically it should work - I need to do some more testing/investigation.

As for X-Link, I think we would normally create the patient info in Lytec (since that is where the scheduler is) and then we would need to send it to AC. I would like AC to populate the charge records of Lytec - double entry would mean printing off the superbill from AC and posting it as you mentioned.

As for X-Link updates, unless AC changes their interface format there really should be no need to upgrade the sfw. As long as it keeps working should be no issue.

Does anyone use X-Link and AC on this forum and can chime in on how physically things are synced?

Thanks
Kevin

So what are you supposed to do? Get a different server for any database using SQL? SQL Server runs different databases on what are called instances. So you would have Server_name(AmazingCharts) for an instance, Server_name(Lytec) for an instance, Server_name(any database) for an instance.

SQL Server is a very powerful database engine which can handle multiple instances.

Exactly - which is why I am questioning the sales person from AC saying I needed two computers. does not make any sense. I should be able to configure lytec to hit one SQL instance and AC to hit the other one.

Yes, if you go to Programs and Features or Add/Remove Programs and find Microsoft SQL Server 2005, right-click and choose uninstall. Don't worry, it won't uninstall. It will take you to a window which shows you one or more instances. These will have radio buttons next to them allowing you to uninstall one or more instances.

Get a sandbox computer in your office and install Lytec, then AC.

If you need any help with SQL for AC or Lytec or in general, let me know, and I can give you an email address of a SQL expert with Micrsoft MVP experience.

Thanks Bert - I am actually a database computer consultant, which is why I was curious as to their claim of needing two servers. Your reply appears to confirm this is not really the case.

Now I just need to find out how X-Link actually works with AC and I think I will be good to go.

Kevin

I am rather sure, but I am not a SQL expert. I would PM James on here as he knows a lot more about it.

That would be JamesNT

I will weigh in on this tomorrow. Right now I'm in the middle of a migraine and have taken something for it that will soon release me from this world.

JamesNT

`Hello,
I'm new member and just started learning about EHR and PM.
I'm going to start AC and thinking about Ezclaim. Please suggest me if EZcliam and its clearing house is good combination? or Lytec PM is better. I greatly appreciate it.

You can check my post regarding EZclaims here:
http://amazingcharts.com/ub/ubbthreads.php/topics/35674/Re_Amazing_charts_and_EZclaim#Post35674

What Bert says about SQL Server is true. You can run multiple instances at the same time. In fact, you can run multiple instances of different versions at the same time. For example, you can run an instance of SQL Server 2005 and an instance of SQL Server 2008 on the same machine.

The question is what do the installers of Lytec and Amazing Charts do that may interfere with one another. That, unfortunately, I do not have an answer for. We will need to install Lytec and Amazing Charts on a test server to see the results.

JamesNT

Exactly, hence my statement from above:

[quote=BertGet a sandbox computer in your office and install Lytec, then AC.[/quote]

If you do not have a sandbox or a "test server" you are operating blindly.

Please try not to hijack threads. Even if your question is talked about in the thread, it doesn't mean it is the same question.

It's best to start your own thread, where you will get more replies.