Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Remote Access While On Vacation

I think most users on the board have discovered this aspect of the EHR a long time ago, but just a few observations from an old timer that converted from paper to AC/Updox in the past year and took his first vacation since the transition.

This posting is intended for new users looking at AC/Updox combo.

Remoting in with logmein free "LMI" worked like a charm except in the armpit of Montana--Glendive where the internet was sluggish.
LMI for 30-45 minutes per day allowed my nurse to keep up with the office stuff and keep things going in the office so when I returned the huge stacks of paper charts were nonexistent, patients were happier getting things taken care of, and my colleagues were happier from not getting bugged.

Out of fear I adopted an EHR in 11/2011, but never even dreamed of this capacity 6 months ago--can do everything but lay my hands on patients with LMI AC/Updox.

One could argue that logging in while away on vacation does not allow one to completely get away--which is true, but the disconnectedness of being away can be buffered, and the first day back instead of playing catchup, can be actually lucrative and one can hit the morning with a full schedule to pay off the gasoline and hotel expenses of vacation.

So out of pleasant surprise and appreciation of AC/Updox and LMI and to all the great contributors on this board I just wanted to demonstrate my gratitude for making remote access a viable option.

jimmie,

For those of us who don't know, can you explain what a vacation is?

Bert,

It is something that nondoctors do.

Gene

Traveling across Jordan to Circle Montana on route 200 where the jackrabbits carry their own lunch pail, North Dakota on I-94 seems absolutely over civilized, and Minnesota seems like a rain forest.

1600 miles in a GMC Yukon with your in-laws and family in a Verizon dead zone is the best definition for vacation I can come up with.

I do recommend route 2oo for a truly existential experience.

Too funny!

I find that LMI and AC make taking more time off possible. Slow internet connections are annoying, but spending 30 minutes with a laptop in front of a wood stove sipping cocoa sure beats spending 5 minutes in the office any day.

I echo Jimmie. LogMeIn really helps lessen the paper stack pain on that first day back from vacation (though it didn't work for me in Yosemite last week!). You should know that there is also a LogMeIn app for your iPhone (and probably android), making your charts even that much more accessible. I din't bring my laptop with me, but could still do some catch-up while waiting for flight connections.

Yes, there is a LMI for Android. And, there is RDP for Android, probably not for Apple.

I agree it is nice to come back to less work, but doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of the vacation?

I don't understand the link.

https://secure.logmein.com/products/ios/

If you Google logmein and iPhone, it comes right up.

But, it's nice to have it right here.

I tried sidestepping the vacation definition earlier because the term vacation takes on a variant of forms, and I suspect each of us have our own concept.

I think in relationship to mixing work with vacation--one can be a teetotaler and completely abstain, or one can mix it up a bit.

Until my conversion to AC I had no choice but to be a teetotaler, and now with LMI/AC/Updox I can partake to whichever degree I feel comfortable with.

Over 19 years as my practice has gotten busier, the thought of ramping up for and catching up after vacation would so overwhelm me that I found it easier just not to take a vacation, not to mention burdening a partner with the responsibility of being away and covering my practice.

So the ability to keep things running in the office while on vacation did not even pop into my mind until I started remoting in with LMI over the past 1-2 months, and this recent "work vacation" was an experiment for me and the above mentioned insights were new experiences for me.

So I guess one has to ask, is it better to be a teetotaler or a variant thereof.

What has been impossible for me to do in 19 years of practice has now not only become a reality but a functional component of running the office from a distance. But several things are necessary, your regular nurse on the ground, a decent internet connection, and the ability to remote in with whichever device best suits your needs, I just happen to prefer my HP laptop.

So my term vacation may be misleading and be better represented as working minimally while a long way from the office to spend time with family.

This was just a joke, lol.

Congrats Jimmie. Hope you have a wonderful "vacation"!

I agree totally with Jimmie. There is real vacation (a rare and precious commodity) and there is out of office time. AC sure helps with the latter.

Bert--I figured you were kidding--but feel like Rip Van Winkle at times when I discover what you guys have been doing all along and get a little animated--so forgive me

Sandeep--thank you and this was a quick but very needed and very enjoyed "vacation"

David--as always I appreciate your insights!

billfox and Amazing Dave--I have an android so will have to try the app for LMI sometime.

I think this was misinterpreted. What I was trying to say was:

LMI: Both Android and Apple

RDP: Android only

I could be wrong, but I doubt that Apple would use the Microsoft product on their phones.

Now this would be the place to put a link if I am wrong.

There are lots of free ones. (RDP Lite, 2XBut, iRemote) The same ones on the Android Market. However there are very few that support the TS/RD Gateway of SBS/Server 2008R2.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/itap-mobile-rdp-remote-desktop/id317062064?mt=8

There is another "free" solution for SBS users/Server 2008R2 Gateway Users. Enable VPN on the server, sign into the VPN on your iPhone, then use the local IP and a free RDP app.

Also with the latter solution, you can use something like Google Voice, a free calling service, with the VPN. No international charge since it looks like you're on the local network back home. This is of course only beneficial assuming you have free WiFi in whatever hotel/country you're in. Google Voice also comes in handy in areas where this a WiFi connection but no cell service.

Dammit, Sandeep. You have to make a choice between helping the community and making me look bad. LOL.

I guess Apple can't turn down the $11.99. The weird thing is, Apple's version probably works better than Windows.

Lol you were right. There is only like 1 app that would work for you on the iPhone. iTap.

Android has many, iTap, Xtralogic, Access to Go, PocketCloud Pro, too many to list that support RD Gateway. XtraLogic looks solid with the ratings.

Well I may have to reconsider taking my laptop on my next "vacation." However, trying to talk my wife into utilizing her i-pad may be a bit of a chore.

On further thought, I may have to reconsider remoting in with LMI with my laptop during the regular workday and remote in with an i-pad and get a little keyboard with i-Tap. Use the wireless N router while at work and 3G while on vacation.
After reading the reviews, makes on want to consider this option.

I think you will find 3G frustratingly slow, Jimmie, but it does work. Even our satellite internet connection at the cabin is best saved for a rainy day. See if you can't find a Hot spot someplace.

Hi everyone,

Minority opinion:

I'm sending this from Myrtle Beach, SC, on the 6th floor, overlooking the ocean.

I have done nothing medical or office related since last Friday night.

My PA and my office manager have my cell phone number, I usually get 1 or 2 calls per week away. None so far this week!

I know I will have many many messages when I get back, but a week of real rest, once a year, is worth it.

I'm not sure how effectively I would be able to work from this location- average download speed has been about 0.5 Mbps, lowest has been 0.2. I think this is dialup speed! My wife's smartphone is just about as slow.

So until Sunday afternoon, I am staying in vacation mode.

Gene

Gene,

You are going to have to change your signature to "nondoctor" this week.

jimmie,

I would, but that would be work....

Gene

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/2x-client-rdp-remote-desktop/id401103105?mt=8

Sandeep mentioned this above as you can tell but I've been using this with our terminal server for like 6 months but it's just OK. works better with a Jot pen by Adonit (just wish you could right-click).

Gene,

I don't want to make you terribly envious, but I am on a working vacation for the next 3 days myself. Heading up to the land of the bass player of Pearl Jam and near the home of one of our illustrious Senators. A place not too big or sandy. But the kids will be riding in one of 5- 36 foot canvas fed green machines collecting gold nuggets of wheat camping out at grandpa and grandma's in the double decker vanagon. So as you hear the rather obtrusive waves slapping the beaches of Myrtle, please think of us gently riding the beautiful waves of grain in our air conditioned cabs.

Isn't illustrious Senator an oxymoron?

Yes, but with this particular senator, leaving off oxy would be more apropos.

Omg. I couldn't stop laughing!

Well, I can't stop crying.

The way they vote, I think they are definitely on Oxy.

Dammit Jon,

Now I can't stop laughing!!!!!

There is nothing more pleasantly distracting from the rigors of practice than being a part of the harvest. Have fun and be safe!

Gene and Jimmy have a great time refreshing your neurons.

Speak for yourself, Tom!
Here is a synopsis of my "off" weekend.
1.) Spent Friday sitting in a big green machine harvesting manure.
2.) Spent Saturday unloading a ton of cow feed from the back of my pickup.
3.) Spent Sunday putting new gate hardware on old 16'gates and then hanging them by myself (which can be done if you put the far end up on a 1/2 bale of straw). Then I herded the cattle to a new pasture. Then I chased the dog with the Polaris Ranger because she decided the cattle should go back into the old pasture!! Then I re-herded cattle into the new pasture and dumped them out a 200 lb lick tub of molasses.
4.) Spent Sunday evening taking a bath in Ben Gay.

Myrtle Beach sounds fabulous.

Tom,
I can't agree more, especially when you can enjoy the harvest from a jump seat of a 9750 combine and your 16 year old nephew is doing all the driving.
Wendell,
Thank you and yes the neurons are refreshed-the hot sun, hail storm and "gentle Montana breeze" have been relaxing for me, but not so for my brother in law, who just saw a third of his wheat crop decimated by the 10 minute hail storm. Thank God for hail insurance! And the fortitude these farmers have!
Leslie,
You have got to get those Hinnies and Mules to help you out a bit!!

Coming back to remote access.

Another remote app to use from iOS devices and Mac OS is JumpDesktop: Much faster than LMI Ignition and also less expensive with better graphics. Costs 14.99 on iOS and 29.99 on Mac OS. Works best from iPad with a big screen but you can also use it from iPhone. For Windows laptops ( and computers) it is free.