Configuring OrthoTrac > Setting Up the Schedule > Options

Search Method

Use the drop-down list in the Options section of the Schedule Maintenance window to select the search method for finding available appointments.

To access Search Method options:

Select Functions > Maintenance/Set-up > Schedule Maintenance from the menu bar.

Select from the following options:

• Open Time

  This method finds appointments in time slots with open time. With the Open Time method, no appointment types are put on the schedule; instead, all available time slots are kept open. They can be differentiated by color to set aside times and chairs for specific appointment types, which is also referred to as “color blocking.”

• Pre-Block

  This method is the most commonly used search method and finds appointments in time slots where appointment types have been added.

  With the Pre-Block method, various appointment types are reserved on the schedule with the assumption that usually you will schedule these appointments at the pre-selected times available. This enables you to reserve time for long appointments at specific times each day or on certain days.

  Assuming you have the proper security permission, you can schedule a different type of appointment at a particular time, even if it is reserved for a different appointment type. Doctor time can be pre-blocked on the schedule when the standards are entered.

• Free Style

  This method enables you to set doctor and assistant time needs prior to each appointment search.

• Procedure

  This method enables you to search the schedule by procedure code instead of appointment types.

  • Appointment types must be attached to each procedure before you can select Procedure as a search method.

• Number of Days to Search

  Type the number of days into the future that you want to search.

  For day-to-day appointment scheduling, the software searches for available appointments from the day selected on the calendar out to the number of days specified here.

  For new patient appointments, the software starts a search from tomorrow’s date and searches ahead 30 days.

• View Options Before Search

  Selecting this option enables you to view options for a specific appointment type before searching.

• Match Color on Open Time

  Selecting this option enables you to match appointment types in a particular color to the same Open Time color with the appropriate number of units.

Related Topics

Options

Doctor Units/Time Slots

Appointment Card Display