In this module, we will review how to create a new “to-do” or “patient action item, how to create a new alert message for a patient, and how to add comments on the patient’s demographic/chart.
Before we dive into the video that shows you all of this, here is a quick reminder of what each of these documentation/communication features are:
TO-DO’s/PATIENT ACTION ITEMS: To-do’s, which are also know as Patient Action Items, are tasks or notes that you want to send to another team member or doctor about a specific patient. Once you create a to-do, it will show up in their list of “Current Action Items,” and will remain there until they read and mark it as complete. These action items stay on the patient’s demographic in the “Patient Action Item” section, even if it is completed, so that future team members can see the notes/tasks that were assigned for this patient. You can also send YOURSELF a to-do regarding a patient, and it will show up under your own list of current action items. This is helpful if you need to follow up with the patient and don’t want to forget the details of that task that you need to complete for that patient.
ALERT MESSAGES: Alert messages are the yellow boxes that “pop” up on the patient demographic as soon as you pull up the patient. Alert messages are used to communicate important information to anyone who access the patient’s chart, such as a special need or accommodation the patient needs for every appointment, or if there are any challenges with the patient that you should be aware of, etc. The PR team also creates alert messages for all patients who have an upcoming exam to indicate to the eyewear stylists, doctors, and OAs which vision benefit plan that patient has for their upcoming appointment. These types of alert messages are created with an expiration date one month from the date they were created, so that they automatically stop appearing.
COMMENTS: The comments section is not used as often as Alerts and To-Dos to communicate information about the patient, but it is a great place to store any non-essential documentation or information about the patient, such as any voicemails you left for the patient, or any notes about their phone calls. Once comments are added to a patient’s account, the word “COMMENTS” will appear bolded on the top of their demographic screen.
Take a look at the video below to refresh your memory on how to create to-dos, alerts, and comments.