Home Forums Discussions Problems Dedicated printer for Rx.

How do I set up AC to print Rx's to a dedicated printer rather than the default printer that my computer uses to print everything else? Changing security paper back and forth is not a viable option.
Trying to switch from iScribe/Allscripts to using AC more fully.

Hi JA,

We have one printer with security paper. I just select "Printers" from Windows, change default printer just before printing, then switch back to usual printer after printing. A bit of a nusiance, but it will become part of your routine.

If anyone has found a faster way to do this, please post.

Gene

I have a dedicated printer. I use laptops almost exclusively for EMR. I have a desktop that I use the EMR and othe business.
My default on the laptops is the rx printer.
My default on the desktop is the regular printer.

Hi NY,

Don't you print orders from your laptop?

Gene

yeah, had to do that originally with iScribe, but eventually they had it so could sent to a specific printer without having to switch back and forth ie assign printer to the application rather than a default - allowed, for example, the ability to assign the printer by its IP number in TCP/IP format, so while 192.168.1.158 may be the default printer, I could assign 192.168.1.133 to the printer that was the dedicated printer for the prescriptions and then set that IP as the location in the RX software to print - irrespective of my default printer.

One other question? anyway to get the format for the tsp800 to print in the upper left?
Was trying to print in margins of my blanks that are quarter page. That format fits great, but then messes up badly with multiple scripts!

If you have set up a dedicated prescription printer with Rx paper anyway, why not just get a Star Micronics TSP800? They are available on eBay for $50 used, as low as $200 new.

only that I *HAVE* a laser printer with the "state-mandated" paper. and trying to simply get the system to print.

Maybe I am missing something here, but I think the question is a pretty simple one.
"The default printer that my computer uses to print everything else" is just that...the default printer. If you want AC to print prescriptions to a different printer, when you prescribe, don't hit "Print to default printer"; hit "Print preview" and select the printer with the appropriate paper.
Is that what you are asking?

Thanks Jon,

As dumb as it sounds, I never tried "Print preview."

This saves a few steps!

Thanks again. Gene

Maybe..:-) will check.

[quote=.}One other question? anyway to get the format for the tsp800 to print in the upper left?[/quote]

Once you set the printer to be TSP, then the four corners are greyed out. If you just choose your state, it should allow you to select where you want the script to print on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper. Not sure if you can do multiple scripts as you can with the Star printer. Have you considered purchasing one as Jon alludes to?

There was some confusion for me so maybe all when you said the TSP800 format meaning, I think now, just the format 4 by 6 and not that you had that printer.

But, when you click on prescribe, it will bring you to Print to Default Printer and Print Preview. Above those will be four choices. They should be selectable now. I haven't used them in years, so I can't say for sure.

I also have always been under the impression that you can only have one default printer. Hence the term, default.

I wasn't trying to dodge the question or sell you a TSP800, but let me explain my experience. When prescribing in my state began to require "Rx paper", I also started using the 8 x 11 size in my existing laser printer, which has multiple paper drawers. But I found that I almost never printed all 4 prescriptions that fit on the full page. There were also multiple jams & misprints trying to feed in the partial pages remaining after printing 1 or 2 Rxs.

After reading some posts from Bert & others about the TSP800, which is supported by AC, I looked around on eBay and these printers are very affordable, bought used. I can see why some docs have a network version of the TSP800 in each exam room. These printers are very fast, print single or batches of prescriptions, and use a thermal method, so no expensive toner or drums to replace.

The only issue is that Star Micronics has poor documentation on how to set these up. Based on my experience setting up two of these beauties, I have posted setup instructions.

If you do buy on eBay, ask the seller if your a getting either a USB interface or ethernet (there are still some sold with older parallel printer interfaces), and if the AC adapter is included (which will cost another $20 if not).

Just another option for those of you having issues with Rx printing.

Great post John and set up instructions. I did have to laugh though when you said make sure it has an AC adapter. I actually really thought you meant it had to have an Amazing Charts adapter.

Yes, I meant Amazing Current adapter.

I assumed John pushed these to make a profit on every one he sells. I figured AC is his Amazing Commission.

True. I got a free TSP800II printer from Star Micronics when they were trying to work with Amazing Charts to fix the issue. They sent it out the next day. I must say it is getting a little easier to set up. I do keep trying to send it back, but they insist I keep it. After all, they sought me out. Not bragging, just bragging.

One of the benefits of having all 64-bit or 32-bit computers and it is easier with the same OS, is when you set up the print driver on the main computer, once it works, you can share it (put it in the directory) and adding it to the other computers takes about 15 seconds literally.

The other funny thing about John's post (which, again, we a very good post, was that of all the things I have lying around in octopus fashion on my floor, I must have 50 AC connectors.

TIP: To keep you from freaking out. We have multiple TSPs. These are the best printers ever. Use them along with 8 1/2 by 11 when you can get away with (although the price per script is not that much) and along with ePrescribe. Anyway, all were working well with the same print driver, and my MAs for whatever reason kept print one script followed by a blank one. It took me a week to realize that the reason was of the few settings, there is one that detects top script. I used a few "twips," my favorite word, and all fixed.

If anyone can find a worse website than Star Micronic, let me know. LOL. And the default username and password is public and root. So, you can always come back here to remember.

Another funny thing. We purchased the correct paper -- we always buy from Star Micronics and we always order over the phone to be absolutely sure it is Maine compatable. We used it for months as it fulfilled the criteria. Then a very nice user on here sent me some rolls he didn't need. Not sure if I thanked him. Thank you. Well, it was perfect. Looked exactly the same. Just didn't have this red mark on the back. Either the pharmacists didn't catch it or just didn't care, but for a least three months, no issues. Then a very nice pharmacist from R/A wouldn't accept one. I couldn't believe it. I argued with him. (Can you guys believe I would argue with anyone?). Sure enough we compared paper and had to throw those away.

I should really give up the whole medical thing and go to work hawking gadgets. I am somewhat hesitant, since someone might ask me what a "Star Micronic" is.

John,

The bonus answer is what was the Epson MX-80 compatible Star Micronics printer in the 1980's.....answer was the Gemini 10 I believe. It actually cost about 500 for my Apple II and spent 9 months of its 1st year in for warranty work over and over......

Well first it is Micronics, lol. What it is is a phrase that makes naming the printer difficult. The other thing is if you put TSP800 in a web browser address bar, you don't go anywhere. Put in Starmicronics.com, and you go to their site, confusing as it is.

Of course, you were probably just talking tongue-in-cheek, thereby making my post look awfully stupid, although the print driver info is kind of funny.