Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Jon Bertman's development of AC

Amidst all this complaining we do about AC and suggestions as to how it could be better, I think we sometimes fail to look at it from 35,000 feet.

Amazing Charts for all its warts and bugs is a tremendous product. I will sometimes do something and an option will pop up, and I think that was a great idea to put that there by Jon.

When you think that Jon developed AC while still working as a doctor, learning coding on the way as well as learning Microsoft Access (a very popular database at the time) is remarkable. I wish I wrote down all the things that astound me about the program at the time, but along with being the fastest EMR in the country, it also just makes sense in so many ways.

This is not a paid advertisement by Jon. I think we just forget at times to sit back and marvel at the sheer complexity, yet seamless program Jon developed.

Bert, your kind words mean a lot—thank you!! I have a lot of fun working on Amazing Charts.

Being invited back to help the new leadership feels like a reprieve of sorts. An opportunity to finally solve the problem of getting clients’ suggestions vetted, designed, and built into the program in a timely manner. Despite how great the ideas are, most get placed into the “backlog” due to the cacophony of ever-changing requirements in our changing healthcare system. Unless the change is queued up and ready to be coded, too many things get in the way.

Given that under Harris, Amazing Charts follows best-practices regarding the “SDLC” (Software Development Life Cycle), I believe we can finally solve this problem. The solution is to build our user’s requirements directly into the SDLC.

Problem:
1. Clients have needs.
2. Prioritizing these and building them into AC — given limited resources and changing requirements — is challenging and thus the best ideas are overlooked.

Solution:
1. Let clients provide their “use cases” or “user story” improvements directly into the SDLC system via an Ideas Portal.
2. Let other clients comment and VOTE on the idea(s) to find the best ideas that will help the most clients.
3. Higher vote-getting ideas will be prioritized and put directly into the software “roadmap.”

I want to be clear: the Ideas portal isn't meant to replace this forum. On the contrary, the Users’ Board is a testament to your dedication, Bert, Ruben, and the Amazing Charts community that allows the company to exist. In fact, in response to the board, a new team is forming with a "go-to" person for each practice. Somebody who is able to oversee and manage issues rather than via the prior tech support escalation process. The new team is called the Client Success Team, and you'll be hearing from them soon!

The voice of the community is a powerful catalyst for change, and I encourage us to continue to share (constructive) insights and engage in discussions that push Amazing Charts to remain amazing! Participate in the Ideas portal when invited, vote (and add) the changes you want to see, and let's collectively turn Amazing Charts into the only EHR you’ll ever need - right into retirement (and/or the gig-work of the future)!

Sincerely,

Jon

Sounds like a great process. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for all the work that goes into maintaining, updating, and improving Amazing Charts. Is there already an 'Ideas Portal'?

Thanks for replying Jon and the updates.

I remember at the 2011 user conference in RI that we sat at tables with a developer and brainstormed ideas and complained about problems. You then led the room to hear the ideas and complaints. You had your lead developer at the time on the stage with you. I was impressed that you would take this initiative to listen to the end users and see ask the team what could and could not be implemented.

That was a great trip and you with the company and staff treated us great.

Primed tried to do similar with their regional meetings but we just never saw any improvement. I think the staff for Primed was dedicated but the company was not. I think Harris is more dedicated to the product and that shows with them bringing you back on board and developing some of the ideas we have seen in the last few months.

I also remember its being 65 degrees in the main auditorium. That was brutal. I remember Wendell wore a sweatshirt. I had never met Wendell, but I was jealous of him the entire time.

Jon, thanks for being here it means a lot.

Very hard to revitalize an older program. Usually it's better to scrap the old codebase, but since that is so painful and not realistic, it just limps along.

We don't need ALL the new bells/whistles of a modern EHR. If we (AC and us) can target key improvements smartly then AC can stay relevant rather than simply rust away.

Thanks - and Yes! That's the key. We are working to integrate the Software Development Life Cycle into the program, and the Recommended Improvements that have consistently been coming in ARE seen, added to the backlog, and we are working to better/faster get them into the product.

Would be nice to rebuild from scratch, but more likely Harris (parent company) would buy something that already does that.

Jon

I am a Johnny-come-late to welcome back Jon - only heard about this yesterday when complaining to JBS.

Horay!!! Welcome Back!

I haven't had warm fuzzy feelings about AC for sometime - quite the contrary. Yesterday was good - for a few fleeting seconds, felt good.


While I was feeling good .... a few ideas

Not sure where to post this - several references to past conferences. Will there be a 2024 or 2025 Users conference? Would be great to see Jon at it live.

If there is a conference, suggestions: current features and uses and a "Pro" day.

1. Feature demonstration Day - currently ways of charting, billing - coding, eRxg, scheduling, faxing, voice recognition, video visits, copying charts, immunizations etc. etc. in AC. We do a lot in AC. Next year - cloning and creating your own avatar in AC!

2. Following day - "Pro Sessions." Individual time with a "Pro" to observe what I do and how I do it. I suspect there are things I do well, things I do poorly, things I do that I should not do, and things I don't do that I should do. I don't know these things b/c no one ever observes or critiques my work flow. I can create a dummy patient or better, obtain HIPPA clearance, permissions and arrange a real time video encounter - check-in, encounter, charting, checkout - send a few rxs, review a few labs, images - respond to a few phone calls while the Pro observes how I interact with AC and its interfaces e.g UpDox - at the end, answer some of those questions. There is IT and providers - are there Pros?

I don't play golf - but my understanding is that a "Pro" after observing or videotaping your swing, makes recommendations - purpose is to improve the swing not sell a new club.


Gino

Gino thanks! Awesome you're still here. I totally agree with you and will push to have them adopt something like this - in the meantime, Bert's turning on of Likes may help if people vote for those things that are most important to them.

I am only a consultant and have no pull, per se, but I believe if we can figure out the "best bang for the buck" changes that cost the least in terms of development time, but provide the best improvement of efficiency (maybe like these), I likely could get those into the cycle that continues to exert most focus on the ever-advancing regulatory requirements to be a certified EHR solution.

(That's a whole different question itself. Does AC need to remain a certified solution? Can somebody put a poll up?).

Jon

Hey Bert, I liked a post is that ok ?

Gino I think this is a great idea, reminds me of the RI conference. Glad you are posting on the board, I think Harris/AC is on the right track and feel they are more committed to improve AC more than we have seen in some time.