Home Forums Discussions Problems How do you "carry forward" active DX's?

In my clinic, my patients are all specialized in that they typically have from 10 - 12 DX's that are the same each and every time...from their first DoS to their latest DoS.

For example, each patient would have ICD-9 codes such as "250.02, 250.40, 250.60, 337.1, 268.9, 272.4, 403.90, 729.1, V85.36" for their active DX's without much variation. Secondly, their CPT codes would be similarly structured, like "99212, 99213, J1817, 82948, 82962, 94681, 99354, 99355, 96365, 96366, 96374". Our patients retain these codes from encounter to encounter, and we end up having to key in these same codes each time - over and over which adds to the time it takes to complete the paperwork for a typical DoS.

My question then, is how can you set up or structure AC so that AC will already "remember" or "populate" a patients' Active DX and Code list, so the only thing we need to do is doublecheck for changes and then move on through the encounter? Where do you do this within AC?

For the Dxs, if there are enough patients, you could make a template.

Another solution is to go to the prior visit, copy the dxs and paste them into the current chart.

Other than setting up the CPTs next to each other on the quick picks so that they are a rapid series of clicks, I do not have an answer for the second part of the problem.

I am confused: if you have all of those ICD codes in your note, they show up in the assessment section. When you start the next note, aren't they still there, with the rest of the prior note? Don't they show up when you put in the CPT as you sign-off?

Yes. They definitely show up in the drop down box where it says Problem List.

I don't see what Jon means when he says show up when you sign off the note unless he is referring to "print note" if you have that as a preference.

"Other than setting up the CPTs next to each other on the quick picks so that they are a rapid series of clicks,"

Where do you do this within AC? Where is the "quick picks" item located?

G

? can't find in preferences how to choose how the patient chart gets brought up ie with entire last note showing, no notes showing etc, remember this was an option somewhere in previous versions is it not in the latest versions?

I have no idea if this is what you are looking for, but...just in case.

Again, not sure if this is your question, but the only place I know would be the following:

On the main note just under the date, there is a drop down list where you can choose past notes, and they then populate the note. As far as no note, I guess not selecting any note from the drop down list and selecting CTRL + N.

HTH

Ah, work arounds, if Jonathan has retired we can do these again right? Just kidding.

Graef, I handle the Dx codes this way.

list everything for this patient for todays visit under assessment as you already do, one at a time. For the Dx codes you expect to use repeatedly, highlight them with the mouse and (Cut) type, "Control C" and then go to the Medical History Box and (Paste) type "Control V". On the future visits you have only to cut and paste the entire block from the Med Hx to the assessment and it will pick up onto the billing as long as the # and : appear on each ICD-9 that you list.

For the procedures I would put them in the Quick codes as stated by Bert and others above.

Good luck.

Graef,
Please provide some clarification of exactly what you want to accomplish.
First, talking about ICD codes... let's say a patient is seen and has 10 diagnoses. He returns a month later and has the same 10 diagnoses for that visit. Where do you want those codes to appear? In the note? On the billing screen?

And with regard to cpt's... does the quick code page that Bert describes address your issue?