Home Forums Discussions General Discussion New Version 7 Users Unite!

There are some differences in Version 7, so I though we could start a line of discussion sharing what, why, how's on using it.

One issue is (it appears to me) that since Version 7 is still in Beta, the "contents" link still shows version 6 info (not version 7). So we early Beta adopters get to figure it out together. Yea! (Feel free to chime in Developer Gods...)

My first question is what is the INSTRUCTIONS tab for, as opposed to the PLAN tab?

Also, as I noted in another post, the SECURE button does not yet work if you got Updox directly from Updox and not through AC.

Another thing, the yellow "bad" ICD-9 codes are not yellow anymore. They are green like all the "good" codes.

GRAEF reported today that after an update yesterday to version 7 the system was slow. Angel Support updated me, from version 6.5, and my speed has been fine.

Hello Headcase!

"My first question is what is the INSTRUCTIONS tab for, as opposed to the PLAN tab?"

The Plan tab is where our users have historically put both the plan and any patient instructions. Meaningful Use Certification required us to have a separate Instructions tab where patient-facing instructions (versus clinical-speak instructions) could live. You can pull the Instructions or Plan or both into the Clinical Summaries you create for your patients.

I hope that helps. Do post again if you have more questions or need more information

Kate Vander Wiede

Headcase,

As a part of our Meaningful Use Certification we updated our problem vocabulary to the SNOMED problem vocabulary instead of of just the ICD-9 problem vocabulary. You'll notice there are some ICD-9 codes that map to two or three different SNOMED descriptions, so the ICD-9 code will show up more than once.

You've already notice that there are no longer yellow ICD-9 codes in the Problem search list (which means that all the ICD-9s that are in the problem list are billable!). However, in the Billing screens, the yellow ICD-9 codes are still available for historic reasons or if you happen to need them.

There are still yellow codes in the problem search from the Most Recent Encounter and you'll see those have a '000' code -- these are SNOMED problem descriptions that are clinically valid, but don't have an associated ICD-9 code and therefore aren't billable.

I hope that helps! Again, please let me know if you need any further clarification.

Kate Vander Wiede
Business Analyst at Amazing Charts

Thanks Kate, that is quite helpful.

We are still experiencing interface and speed issues with our new upgrade to AC Certified 2014 7.0.12. I've noticed that Tech Support chat options are not running as usual; has anyone else been able to reach Chat support or are you constrained to sending AC Support an email regarding your issue like I just did? If anyone has any luck getting through to Support, let me know. We're still in a posture of waiting until we hear back from Support. And, we did do a complete server re-start yesterday afternoon in an effort to self-fix. It didn't work.

GRAEF - what version did you have before the upgrade?

6.6.7 and it was working normally. That's the version right below Certified 2014 I am told.

What processes on the server are consuming the most memory? the most CPU?

If you need help starting the Task Manager, go to the taskbar where your Start button is, and right-click. Choose start Start Task Manager. Go to the Process Tab, and then you click on the column you want to sort. Check both CPU and memory.

Since it is unlikely (unless the network methodology was changed) that the network has changed or the clients, you need to look at what is going on the main AC machine.

There may be missing codes. For instance I could not find the code V85.30 for BMI 30.0 to 30.9, adult.

Upgraded to 7.0.12 and have following issues

This version is not compliant for MU 2 The next update 7.1 will be
Compliant
Issues with Billing not crossing over using X link into Medisoft
Brought upto Tier 2 support
VAccine Information sheets missing on 6 vaccines Guardian angel aware of this for future updates
Slow response can be from SQL services hogging too much memory
Had to stop and restart SQL service as max memory for SQL service was being encroached

I see many messages where users complain that performance is bad after AC upgraded to version 7.
I would appreciate if somebody could tell if everything is working great after upgrade to version 7
My server is DELL XPS 8700 with 32 Gbytes of RAM (Intel i7 - 4770 3.4 Ghz Processor, Windows 8 64 bit OS) and client workstations are also DELL PC's with 8 - 12 Gbytes of RAM. I know that it should be enough in according with specifications but is it really enough? We currently use ver 6.6 and it works great, version 7 is necessary for MU(Stage 1 phase 2) only but we can't afford have computers frozen. Any positive feedback about AC 7. Thanks

AC loaded my update. I have Windows 8.1, Intel i5-4440 CPU, 8 GB RAM on main computer, attached to two others (not using a server). Seems speed is OK. AC unexpectedly quits some about every 3 days, but that was true with version 6, ever since adding Updox (so I suspect it is related to Updox). Still liking my Updox, though...

Sorry you're having woes.

Jack, Thank You very much for feedback. Now I feel safe to upgrade to AC 7. My main PC is not real server (REal server implied special CPU, Motherboard and appropriate operating system) - It is just dedicated computer with a lot of memory under my desk.
It connected via router to four other computers (not more then 2 of them are being used simultaneously to receive and send data to AC). AC doesn't quit every 3 days however some services are being stopped with no reason. These services are responsible for automated backup So I need to check it every morning via VNC from home and run backup manually. Another problem that I have Upload of my backup is failing every other day. AC offsite backup doesn't have autorestart feature so my huge backup file(~15 Gbytes)take 8-10 hours to be uploaded. It is important that AC executables to be added to exceptions in Filrewall and antivirus settings.
I can't say anything about updox. I used it a lot when I neededed to import my paper charts and now I keep it only because it is necessary for MU - patient portal feature. Thanks again for the feedback

IMPORTANT: Be aware that AC 7 does not seem to maintain an automatic "Last Note Backup", as it did in previous versions, so that if you're working on a long and complicated chart, and AC suddenly quits, you're screwed! Start over. Very Bad; hope this is fixed soon. Should be at the top of the list of bugs to squash.

In reference to missing codes, a few posts back:

Yes; lots of codes missing. Had to re-enter plenty, manually. Don't really understand what's going on with regard to integration of ICD-10 codes, and temporary co-existence with ICD-9 codes. I see a potential mess up ahead.

I have just upgraded to the 7.1.1 version of Amazing Charts and wanted to check in with everyone to let them know how it went for me.

First, do the things recommended by AC before your appointment such as upgrading all versions of windows, making sure you have the minimum specs, etc. In addition, make sure all of your computers are logged on with administrator privileges. Run a backup of your AC about an hour before your appointment if you can, otherwise the guardian angels will just have to do it for you.

Once we were up and running with the 7.1.1 version, there were a few things I noticed different.

1. The integration with updox is really not an improvement from the Java program that we used to use. When you send information such as patient labs to the portal, you still have to match them to the patient again in updox before you can send them.
2. Family History now has to be codified. This will slow you down if you do it at each visit like I do. In addition, Social history now has additional sections to codify cigar/pipe/chew tobacco users.
3. The problem list is different as others have mentioned, but most annoyingly, if you already have a diagnosis entered, such as HTN 401.1 but can't find in in the tiny drop down box, you don't have the option to add it to your note through the search function. On some patients, this was faster for me.
4. There is a new tab for instructions as others have noted.
5. To get meaningful use credit for giving patients instructions, you first have to be on the ?plan? tab, then click the green ?Print Instructions (Summary)' tab, then select clinical summary for print from the drop down box, then select print (with the green question mark), then you can either print or just close the print interface. To get credit you must go one step further and print from the ?clinical summary? pop up box. This is a lot of extra step for something that probably should have been streamlined. It would have been nice to create a CCD, send it to the portal and print patients a Summary with all one button.
6. In order to get meaningful use credit for giving patients an electrical copy of health information (core 12) you have to go back into the chart after the note has been saved, click on the Summary Sheet tab, click on the green Clinical Summary button and then send to portal.

As always the AC support staff/guardian angels have been terrific and I greatly appreciate their patience.

Anyhow, those are the highlights and I have only been working with this for one day. I just wanted to post my experiences so others might be better prepared than I was. I hope it is helpful.

We have been in 7.0.12 for several weeks. We are finding the demographic/billing and account information sections are painfully slow. We are contemplating a roll back. Computers are up to specs, short of hardwiring everyone, nothing else we can do at this point.

Once again I am trying to decide if we should "bite the bullet" and upgrade from V6.3.3 to 7.1.
AC reports that several hundred users are on V7, with generally good results. Maybe this board reflects a biased sample, but most of what is posted here is somewhat negative. I recently spoke with a local user who upgraded, and she voiced the same concern that MaryM states above (significant slowing in the billing and account functions).
For those of you who are on V7... please comment about your satisfaction with the upgrade. Are you happy with the changes? Does AC run faster, slower or the same in the new version? Even if you do not have strong feelings (or if the newer version is not much different for you) please say so.

I have recently upgraded to V7.1.2. It was a smooth upgrade (from 6.6.7) and it has been working well for me. I have not noticed that it is slow, but I have also upgraded the server and remote access sections so it remains smooth.

We just upgraded to 7.1.2 from 6.6.7 last week. The biggest complaint was that the User dictionary was erased completely and I had to pull it out from a backup to restore it. Otherwise its been running as smoothly as V6.

There are those new changes in regards to the Family History and Plan/Instruction tabs as described earlier.

I haven't noticed any new slowdowns. The demographics section was always slow for us in V6. We don't use the billing/Account tab so I can't say if its any slower to use. However, I just tried opening it and yeah it takes a while to open but I think that's how it was in V6. Again we don't use it everyday because we still use Medware for PM/billing. Is the MEDfx complete integration supposed to be ready soon? Or in V8? I'm wondering if we are ever going to be able to get away from double entering our info from Medware to AC.

I am also on 7.1.2 and speed is improved from 6.6.5. I LOVE that I can send the summary to the portal directly. It is much less work in Updox for staff. I wish I could send the letter from the day's appt directly to the portal as well. Any idea what the difference is between plan and instructions?

To make MU easier: Click the green highlighted Print Instructions (Summary). Then choose quickprint. This will print the letter to your chosen printer. {I like to send letters to Updox.} Then for Clinical Summary choose "Full patient record" at the top, and then at the bottom choose "send to portal". This gives MU2 credit for giving the summary and for electronically providing the patient's record. This also lessens the work for my staff who are forwarding the letters to the portal. Now they do not have to forward the entire Clinical Summary as well.

As Jon from Baltimore stated, and from the movie " Running Man " with Hoffman, IS IT SAFE? My current version of AC runs well. I've almost forgotten my computer guy's name. I've finished the first 3 stages of MU. The 4th is relatively small. Does the latest version of amazing charts transition easy enough. Is it worth throwing away something that is stable. I'm somewhat unimpressed with the new corporate face of AC. We're not campers sitting around the camp-fire singing cumba -jah. They are a vender that needs to serve their clients or we move on to another. I've actually been told by this board that I should just wait for AC to get their product fixed. Sorry, when at McDonalds and order a cheeseburger and they say they're out of cheese, I'm not going back the next day to see if some comes in. I go to a different resturant.
Comments
Nate

Tried 7.1.2 this weekend. Not sure when the new installer started, but it is MUCH better.

Here is the thing. AC has so many versions I have to go backwards to find a version that DOESN'T have a certain "feature."

Someone please tell me I can turn this off. I didn't even notice the other one in 6.1.2.

So, in 6.1.2, as SOON as you enter a letter in eRx, it says Valid for ePrescribing if not scheduled drug. Do I need that when I am writing for Zantac? At the end, fine, once Ambien is entered, getting the warning it is III - V is great.

Now is v7, it says, and I paraphrase:

Not valid for electronic fax. (Note electronic fax)? Script cannot have Sig and Dispense fields empty. Wow, that will be helpful. I can continue to put the first letter in until that goes away.

I think everyone know the script needs a sig. Again, having a warning at the end if you forget a Disp # is helpful. But, to get a gawdy yellow "e" and message beneath the script is horrid. I don't even think I can use it because of this flaw. This is the new version of eRx.

Anyone know of a version without this but the one that contains pharmacy phone number and fax number. My staff would take a dollar less an hour for that feature.

We have been through this several times; most often with folks who do the upgrade, and then get desperate for some help.

On the same equipment, versions beyond 6.3.3 will be slower than 6.3.3. The larger your office(active users), the more noticeable that will be to you. Under six connections, probably manageable; 6-12 you will feel it, and above 12 you will probably hard roll-back or call us.

There are functional improvements, but we find the largest dividing line is whether the practice is going forward with MU. As more practices count the cost and determine they would rather jump off the MU train, there is much less reason to upgrade at this point.

For especially larger groups that are determined to do MU, you should anticipate having to spend some $$$ to make AC functional for your larger group. It could take a variety of forms, but one way or another it will cost $$$ or time, you just have to figure which of those you want to spend more of in doing MU.

As has also been noted here by folks using newer versions, 7.x in particular, you are entering into a BETA-like cycle of quick releases as problems are found and fixed. The 7.1.2 Repair-Will-Kill-You bug is just a recent example. For larger groups, that means more frequent (think about upgrading every client) upgrades, and *discovering* bugs.

The large group where we discovered and replicated the Repair-Will-Kill-You bug was very appreciative that we found it (and with AC's help) got it operable again after-hours as opposed to during the middle of the work day. NO ONE wants to make those kind of discoveries.

So, like all complex system considerations, the answer is "It Depends" on many factors.

In next month's video I'll be going through this in more detail, complete with engineer-produced flow-charts and slides. Some nice scenery at no additional charge.

It began two weeks ago with our appointment to upgrade to what we thought was going to be version 6.6.5. AC decided to upgrade us to version 7.1.2. After I have spent two hours this morning correcting two weeks worth of diagnosis codes on superbills, I thought I would share our experience. First, I was informed that 7.1.2 was not a beta version this morning by AC.

When a patient comes in our office the orders for a strep, urinalysis etc. during triage is done. We had this set up to autobill when the test was ordered. The results are then recorded, visit charged for and the doctor signs off. WELL....after reviewing several invoices this morning I discovered that the diagnosis codes from the previous visits were being applied to the test ordered. A kid comes in today for a strep test and the diagnosis code from last visit was applied to today's test which was a well child check, warts and obesity. This is also happening with vaccine administration.

AC logged on this morning to take a look. It is a "BUG". This could be a very "BIG BUG" if it had been caught during an insurance audit.

We have also not been able to get Updox to work correctly. Updox support has been helpful but the issue has not been resolved after 2 hours on the phone with them yesterday.

What is not working on Updox ? I updated and did tweaks to get it working properly

According to Updox yesterday, somehow two accounts are in our office name. It is something they are trying to fix on their end.

Gale, my guess is that you are pretty busy right now, but at some point can you explain how you have this set up?

In Admin option, under define order, there is a box to check to Auto-add to bill and another that says this test is usually done in house. When the auto-add to bill is checked and the doc orders say a strep test, it bills for it. This would be a great feature, if it would put the dx codes from the current visit on superbill, but it pulls the prior visits diagnosis.

Please don't change the subject line in your post. Doing so will change the subject line for all future posts. The thread should be titled what the original user titled it.

Thanks.