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I have been very happy with the Brother MFC and its ability to turn all my incoming faxes (with software) into PDFs by connecting to the PC. I use the 'connect to PC' function, and a little program runs on the PC at startup to receive the faxes. Every now and then, out of the blue, it will stop connecting with the PC. Usually a restart helps, but now I've restarted everything, the programs are running, but the faxes are just sitting on the MFC. I know a lot of you use these machines, any tips on this issue?

8680DN

Have you tried turning the machine completely off and back on? We have had this issue a time or two in the past too.

"but now I've restarted everything"

Did you get this resolved?

Did you use the software that comes with the Brother MFC to convert to pdf or another product? We have a Brother MFC-9440 CN and wondered if we could use this instead of or with Updox. I was able to have the fax send the file to my PC. Does not give choice for pdf file. I set to receive .tif file. Can imported .tif files open within the window in the imported items section instead of a new window?

I have an 8860DN and I used to occasionally have a problem with it pulling down faxes early on. I unfortunately do not remember how I fixed it. Try calling Brother, they may be able to work you through it. restarting everything and rechecking the cables goes without saying.


Of course, I sent back about 3 machines until I finally forced them to realize that the instructions were messing up my machine. I had to get them to escalate it to a manager who checked with one of the programmers and appparently some of the script was for an overseas machine that caused my feeder to jam. On the other hand, they were easily accessable and that problem should have been solved.

@Peter. Unless things have changed with the newer machines (which I doubt) they will not receive faxes in PDF format. But that is easy to correct if you are also using the Paperport software. Select your .tif documents then right click and "Convert to Pdf". You can select multiple documents by using the shift key just as you would in any other situation.

Thanks Leslie. I just figured that out last night and it works great. Was just hoping to have it done automatically. Only issue I can have is if they send multiple results in one fax or a cover letter, then I can't just drag the file to the imported items section. First I will print to Updox and only import the correct pages.

You can unstack the documents in Paperport also. Our hospital lab does this all the time and we have to unstack the entire bundle and then restack those belonging to each patient. PITA

Our labs and diagnostics come in from out hospital as pdf and a new file per patient.
But the unstack and stack feature will take care of all our fax issues.
Thanks for your help! Almost paperless.

Peter,
I think it is a matter of personal preference whether you use Paperport or Updox; each has its advocates. I can't see why you would need to use both, though. All faxes that come into Updox are handled the same way, and all can be imported into AC without any additional format changes. With your set-up, why use Paperport (and then sometimes print back to Updox)?

I agree. I see no reason to use both. UPDOX costs, Paperport does not. (Sorry Jon, I cannot help but dig at you now that you are feeling better). Both are excellent programs

Jon,

I was printing to updox to seperate the file into pages, but since I found out about the unstack/stack feature I probably will not use updox for this purpose. Perhaps updox is best used for the patient portal.

Peter,
If you just use Updox for the portal, you are missing out on what is arguably the most valuable part of the program. Have you done a trial where all of your faxes come into Updox rather than Paperport?

Leslie,
As you know, we agree on most things, so I was trying to be gentle and fair about your unholy bond with Paperport. How about this: you stop bringing up that it is free, and I will stop reminding people that you are the sole user to post pornography on the board here.

We are still in trial mode and have sent some sample faxes to updox. Just trying both ways to see which one is best for us. Looking at cost and ease of use. If all the faxes come into Updox, can we still send manual faxes via our current fax setup? With Paperport I have all the faxes archived on my current machine in case we later decide not to use Updox. Not certain the Dr. wants to have to log into Updox to approve a form. Might be easier for someone to print and quickly get a signature.
Have to be fair, I have not tried all the features of Updox yet.

Peter,

I see the value in using Updox and also see a value in using paperport (no monthly cost). I don't think you are using all the tools available to you in UPDOX.

If you are using Updox and say get one fax containing ten pages with results for different patients. You do not need to use paperport to separate these. Use your mouse and point it over a document. Then there will appear "Select" . Use the select button in UPDOX to choose which pages you want to import into AC (this can also be done across multiple faxes at the same time). To the left side there will be a button marked "Send ___ selections", from there you can send to EMR, send to file, send to portal, or send to email (all at the same time). That's it.

As for sending manual faxes, I would set up your MFC to scan and save to the SENDTOUPDOX folder. Anything saved to this folder automatically gets imported into UPDOX. From there you can send the fax (or import etc) and have an electronic audit trail.

Whenever I send a fax regarding a patient, I also send a copy to the patient chart via UPDOX. These get saved into the IMPORTED items section in AC in a custom category called "correspondence". This way I can see what I sent to others regarding a specific patient. From the computer you use to run UPDOX, you can also print to it like you would print to a PDF printer.

As for your doctor not wanting to log in to sign a form, you could always print what you need to have him sign and scan it back into UPDOX as I mentioned above.

Marty is giving you good advice here. I always say that the toughest job for the Updox people is explaining exactly what the program can do. There are many ways to use it, fitting many different workflows.

Yes, you can still fax out via other means besides Updox if you choose to (this may provide a cost savings, though is not likely to save time).

Updox will archive every fax if you want it to, but keep in mind that the great majority of them are sent some where (primarily to the EMR). In other words, there is little need to archive everything elsewhere in case you don't stick with Updox.

As Marty says, your doc need not go into Updox to sign forms; on the other hand, once she sees how easy it is, you probably won't be able to stop her.

@Jon, hahaha!! I think at the next ACUC you and I will have to have a side-by-side demonstration of UPDOX vs Paperport. Other than the portal, mine can do anything yours can do And it was David that made the pornographic reference....I just found the picture to go along with it!

@Leslie, I think "Importing into AC - Paperport vs UPDOX" would be a great lecture for the next ACUC.

"Importing into AC - Paperport vs UPDOX vs Fax Board"

"Importing into AC - Can anything touch Updox?"

Opps, didn't mean to leave you or Bert out there Sandeep. How could I forget the fax board???

Can't really beat a fax board if you send/receive a lot of faxes.

I believe when the Updox document is assigned to a patient's chart and the Dr. is notified that there is a chart signoff in their message, the color is red. If this is true is there a way to change the default color?

Peter

There is no way to change the default color of items that need to be signed off that I'm aware of.