Changing Patient Location

When you move a patient from one location to another, the system tracks the time the patient spends in the new location. Depending on the way their computers are configured, other staff members can view the patient’s new location on their monitors. More...More...

Using the General Options tab of the Patient Flow Setup and Maintenance window, you can configure the system to automatically load the charting module (if you purchased the charting module) when patients are moved to the Operatory. You can also set up the system so that Patient Checkout is automatically loaded when patients are moved to Check Out.

When a patient is checked out through the normal checkout procedure, that patient’s location is automatically changed to Gone.

You must select the Display Change Patient’s Location Information option on the Grid Setup tab in Patient Flow Options to display the Change Patient's Location window. In the following descriptions, it is assumed that the option is selected.

To change a patient location:

When using the Staff - Text-Based display, select one of the following methodsfollowing methods of changing a patient’s location:
- Dragging and Dropping — Move the mouse pointer over the patient’s name or anywhere in that row; press and hold the left mouse button (a small patient figure is displayed); drag the patient to the picture of the destination; and release the mouse button to drop the patient into the new location. The Change Patient’s Location window is displayed.
- Double-Clicking — Double-click on the patient’s name. The Change Patient’s Location window is displayed.
- Right-Clicking — Move the mouse pointer over the patient’s name or anywhere in that row and press the right mouse button. Select Change Location from the drop-down list. The Change Patient’s Location window is displayed.
- Clicking Patient Photo — When using the Staff - Photographic display, click on the patient’s picture. The Change Patient’s Location window is displayed.
  
  The Change Patient’s Location window displays a snapshot of the patient (if available) and information about the patient’s appointment. The patient’s Name, Appointment Type, Time and Length of Procedure, Current Location, and Time at Location are view-only.
In the Doctor, Assistant, and Chair fields, use the drop-down lists to change the information, if necessary.
To add or change a message in the Patient Comment or Staff Comment fields, type the message in the appropriate field.
The patient sees the Patient Comment as soon as he checks in. Be careful to enter only the comments you want the patient to see.

If you move a patient to a destination that is earlier in the sequence than the current location (for example, Operatory to Lobby), the system displays a confirmation prompt. If you click Yes, the time already recorded for that patient in that location is lost.

If you have checked in a patient in error, cancel the check-in by changing the location to Not Here.

When you drag and drop a patient, the location you dropped the patient in is selected in the New Location section. Click OK.

With the double-clicking or right-clicking methods, the system automatically selects the next location; for example, if the patient was in the Lobby, and you use the In Deck option, then In Deck is selected. Click the desired location and click OK.