Home Forums Discussions Problems 10 minute appointments

So here is the story. AC defaults to 15 min appointment, which is ok with me most of the time. However, I recently installed an interface with my PMS (momsat). It has 10 min appointment slots. So to prevent a conflict I went to AC admin panel and changed the AC appointment to 10 min and I figure this would be it. Later I notice AC schedule has a ton of duplicate appointments for the same patient. I speak with AC and I am told that I have to change the AC appointment slot in EACH computer as there is no way for AC to do a global appointment change for every user... WTF! I have 20 client computers. So I go and change them all. Next day still have the same problem. Seems that if a different user logs into AC you have to go to the admin panel and change the appointment slot for that particular user from 15 min to 10 min.... so not only do I have to change the appointment slot to 10 min in all 20 computers, but also do it in every computer FOR EVERY SINGLE USER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20 To the power of 20!!!!!

You have got to be kidding.

Please AC, FIX THIS!

Gerardo

Hi Gerardo,

Sorry to hear about your problems.
AC eventually gets around to making changes, but there are so many issues that they don't always come at the time we want them. They do eventually come along if you stick it out.
Our answer to this is to just use the scheduler in the PM program.
Be patient and reach out to this wonderful support community.

Gerardo, have you sent a bug/recommend improvement to AC? If not, I would recommend doing so.

The User Board is NOT always monitored by the company. It truly is a Board staffed and run by the users. As such, we can present issues but send it up to AC.

I agree this is a major issue for you, I too have found it annoying, but on a much smaller scale than you.

I can hardly imagine 10 minutes appointments: unless doing pediatrics. I am really surprised patients would pay for a 10 minutes visit.

I agree completely but why are you excluding pediatrics?

@Gerardo,

Just an observation. I, probably like you, would be considered the admin for the office. And, it is likely safest that you do the 20 to the 20th power. But, couldn't all of the doctors go to each of the 20 computers and make the changes.

It seems like AC has answered the question. And, while, it could be easier, it is only something you would do once every few years. Just a thought.

@Bert

I just got old records from a pediatrician for one of my patients. Every visit is a short template with check marks. i.e. CC: sore throat ROS: painful swallow Exam: OP Red Test: RST Dx: Strep Throat: Tx Amoxil. I thought, "Wow, that is some easy charting!" Then I realized, no way you could ever do it with these medicare patient's multi-problem visits!

I will definitely give you that Medicare patients take longer, but obviously those using AC don't chart like that. I use 15 minute slots and still get behind.

Bert, you aren't helping me with my goal to own the left column for the day...

I noticed that. I can't keep up.

I have been biting my tongue on this also. I can't do a blood pressure check adequately in 15 minutes. Our default is 30 minutes.

Debating if I should say this as I don't want to offend anyone, but at the risk of generalizing, Gerardo is a surgeon. Now, I know there are plenty of surgeons who take long histories, etc., but if Chris can generalize about pediatricians, lol.

Yes, surgeons have a lot of quick things, like rechecking a wound after a nurse pulls the sutures... just like pediatricians and ear infections.

LOL! Sorry. Been busy with my 10 min appointments.
1. As Bert pointed out, i'm a surgeon. Postop appointment do not take long at all. However, the main reason for 10 min appointment slots is to accommodate double, or triple, bookings. My policy is I never turn down a referral. If you call my office, you get a same day appointment if requested. You may have to wait a while...
2. a new cholecystitis patient will probably take ME ten minutes or less. education by staff, scheduling, labs, records, etc will take longer... Every patient sees an EMMI video on their procedure and then sees me, if appropriate. Saves time. Most patients come to me with a diagnosis. Most PCP's I deal with are reliable. There are a few I double check their work, but not many.
3. Cancer patients, God forbid the breast cancer patient, make take over an hour. Which is why i restrict my breast practice. I can tell a patient I need to take your colon out in 10 minutes. Taking some skin and fat (i.e. breast) not so fast.
4. I do weight loss surgery. FU visits are fast. Mostly making sure they are following an appropriate low glycemic index diet. Initial visits are also fast, as all patients come to a seminar I give twice a week which takes over an hour and during which I explain all the procedures and risks, as well as lifestyle changes necessary for success. Patients come in with a pretty good idea about what they want. Ever taken a history from obese patients? Not much to say.
5. Don't forget the nutritional and psych appointment slots
6. I see 30+ patients a day. Yes, I am a surgeon.
7. There are only two doctors in my practice. I am the IT guy. Going around updating 20 pc x 20 users is overwhelming. But I did it.
8. I do over 1000 cases a year. I do not count the minor procedures I do in my office. Those of you who wonder why a patient would come see such a busy surgeon. Ask yourself, would you go to a surgeon whose waiting area is empty? Most patients are referred to me by pcp;s. They do so because of my results. So, don't bite your tongue so hard.

I appreciate all your comments.

Gerardo,

I notice you have been registered with AC since 04, and since you have lots of free time :), I was wondering if you could be a resource if needed. We have a group of 3 fantastic surgeons in our area that are just getting started with AC, and I have tried to help out as much as possible, but your explanation of how you run your practice is extremely enlightening.

Would you mind, if you have time, giving any tips on how best to get started with AC in a busy surgical practice.

However, I do not have an answer to your question, but we use Lytec and I do not even use the AC scheduler. The Lytec schedule is much more robust and can accommodate all 9 physicians in our group and can do 10 minute appointments. This group of surgeons also use Lytec but not sure how they run their schedule, so this issue may be extremely pertinent to them.
Thanks, and have a Happy Labor Day!

Gerado,

Impressive. Having such a good system like that with all of your staff on board, allows you to be very efficient. A question just of interest:

If you will see a patient same day and you are in the OR, can your staff make the appointment? I have to tell you the best thing I like about a consultant is one that will see the patient same day. Of course, with surgery, it is a lot more visual. I'm not sending a rule out Addison's disease. But, I can guarantee you, your willingness to see same day patients is incredibly helpful.

We have had some good and some bad pediatric surgeons. All good technically. We used to have this pediatric surgeon years ago. He was awesome. The thing I liked about him was it could be a Friday at 7 pm, and he would have me send them to his office. So, I knew when he said it could wait, it could.

What has always been frustrating to me is the dermatologist. Nothing against their specialty or them, but just the flow of dermatology in general. If I had to choose the one specialty that could see my patient same day or next day it would be they. One, I am worried because I don't know what the hell it is, and two, it isn't going to look the same in two months. Add to that if I see the rash and get the history, and they tell me five hours later it is erythema marginatum, I learn something and that is one less patient I will send them next time. It rarely happens, but if they did see patients and diagnose them right away, I would ask the patient to come back over so I could put it together.

I think I remember your 20 x 20 PC issue. You have to get RDC going. I bet I could remote in to your network, use RDC and set them up a lot faster. Keep up the good work.

As to the busy waiting room, I agree. 90% of them think this guy must be good, but 10% complain at the front desk.

Gerardo,

Can you get around this by creating a second provider in AC, Say Gerardo 2, which effectively doubles your available appointment slots?

I am always willing to help those who need help and ask for it. My advise is to find out what you need to get from AC and learn how to get the most our of it. Trial an error. Everyone is different and their situation is different so not one answer fits all. AC is not perfect, but it is the best I have used up to now. I have been using AC since 1.0. Used to be when I called support, John would answer. Those were the days. I actually remember getting "cold" calls from John because my AC database had developed a bug and he called me before I had a chance to call him, telling me he noticed I was getting error notifications... We spent about 4 hours on the phone on that one. There is no way he was making money out of AC back then, it was his love for AC that kept him going. I hope he is making money now. He deserves it.

So it is funny I can still whine like a little girl about small annoying bugs like the schedule appointment slots... I am still holding out for the PMR, although I have hitched my wagon elsewhere at this point.

Bert, I use both logmein while out of the office, and RDS within my network. It is still a pain, but not as much. I also use sharepoint and have delineated a "how to" document for everyone so the updating work is done fairly quickly. Adapt and conquer still applies.

Bert

My staff knows my rule; if a referring doc calls and asks for his patient to be seen the same day, we make it happen. Easily done, although it makes for some long days once in a while. Of course, if you abuse this privilege by dumping patients on me you may find the door closing on your referrals... I treat you well and with respect; I expect the same. I give my cell phone to all my referring docs. I do not want them to wait to speak to me. If I am in the OR, the circulating nurse will answer and if it is that important I will take a few seconds to talk to you. Usually not a big deal.

dgrauman

I think I would just have to jump off a bridge if that was the case. But I can see where that would be an option. Thanks for the input.