PALM PERSPECTIVE

as easy as 1234

The following is a typical patient encounter using a Palm V.

1.When a patient makes an appointment by phone they are put into our multi-appointment computerized Calendar, which is at the front desk computer. When the patient actually enters the office, they are greeted by the front desk and then

2. taken back to another more private room with another computer that has all the patient information with regard to insurance and billing (matriculation. The patient does not fill out any paperwork, because the secretary asks her all the questions and types it in the screen in front of the patient. This screen is later printed for a hardcopy in the patient record folder.

3. The patient is escorted to the examination room.

The patient’s chief complaints and history of injury is taken here in less than 2 minutes. A template of signs and symptoms is chosen from the Palm V software, based on having the patient physically touch the area that hurts them. If the patient has a return visit as most chiropractic patients do, all the pertinent clinical information is in the palm of my hand. I only need to change what is different. This is simply 2-4 clicks of a pen, which is completed in seconds. The only caveat here is remembering the patient’s name so you can chart the patient in the Pilot. My favorite line, if I forget their name is, "How do you spell your last name?" Another alternative in the is to have the patient carry a travel card with their name on it.

4. At the end of the day, or my convenience), I simply upload my Pilot data. I do this upload from my office, which is networked, to the server at the front desk. My secretary makes any data changes needed for reports. Any SOAP notes or reports can be generated from any computer in the office based on what has been done (data input). Soap notes as well as Workman Compensation and Personal Injury reports as well as many HMO and insurance reports.