Is there a way that I don't allow to the user to sign a visit if the user is missing important information? What triggers could I use?
Thank you
On the from properties, check Use Page Close Hander, then write a routine to inform the user of the required missing information. Check the Help file for VFE:
Page Close Handlers
Page close handlers are used to execute a group of MEL expressions when a page of the form is closed. By default, this expression will be triggered when the page is closed in any of the following situations.
- The Previous Form or Next Form buttons are pressed to change the open form.
- The Close button is pressed to close the form.
- The user presses the "tab" for one of the other pages in the form to change the open page.
Visual Form Editor also allows configuration so that the page close handler can be executed upon returning to an update after the EMR "times out" (through the Program Options dialog) or before executing the MEL expression in a RUNPROCESS button (in case these buttons call the OPEN_FORM_COMP or JUMP_TO_TAB data symbols).
NOTE: The ability to use page close handlers was added in EMR 2005. Users that are building forms for previous versions can turn page close handlers off by unselecting this feature in the Program Options dialog. If functionality is turned off in this way, page close handler and required field properties in individual items can be left in place, but will be ignored when the clinical kit is built.
Page close handlers that are meant to prompt the user if a field in the form is left blank can be added by using the Automated Page Close Handling feature in the Item Configuration dialog.
Custom MEL expressions to execute upon closing the page can be specified in the Page Configuration dialog. This can be used when more complex checking needs to be performed, such as to display a message only for certain provider types (e.g. nurses). It can also be used to prompt the user to perform an action. For example if a user has entered a date and result in a lab entry form, but has not pressed the button to push this information to the flowsheet, they could be prompted to do so when the page closes.
You also need to set the ClosePage(False) to return to the calling page. See the Centricity Help file.
A somewhat complicated procedure. Contact me directly if you have questions.
I have heard this request from several of my providers, and after looking and looking I still have no idea if it is even possible. The closest thing I have found is doing a lock on leaving a form if the user forgets to enter certain info, but even then, there are ways around the lock. I have found that having logic to guide the user is best, and then to train users 1 on 1 if the problem continues.
If anyone has found a way to lock a note from signage, I too would love to know about it. ^_^
I did some research on this topic last year. The best tool I could find was the Page Close Handler (PCH) that Dr. Fitzgerald refers to. However, there are 2 issues:
1. If a user never hits the form that contains the PCH, the PCH won't fire and the user will be able to sign the note, even if it is missing the key information.
2. The PCH will run every time the form is closed, not necessarily when the document is going to be signed. If that key piece of information is missing, the PCH could stop the MD from even putting the document On Hold. As an example, your PCH might be programmed to require that at least one field on the Assessment and Plan form be filled out. However, in a busy clinic setting, the MD may not have time to get to the Assessment and Plan prior to seeing the next patient. The PCH would stop the MD from putting the document On Hold until something is there.