Any other Docs out there using a Toshiba or Tabl

[ajkelly]

Any other Docs out there using a Toshiba or Tablet with any kind of point-of-care EMR or note generating program?

Well, I just got my Toshiba 3505 - I'm very excited! :D So far, it's very impressive and I haven't had any problems. I'm a little concerned about battery life, but I guess I can buy another battery or have a couple of AC adapters in the rooms - just in case.

I've been running SoapWare on my desktop for a couple of months (while waiting for my Toshiba to arrive :() and it does a fairly good job and you can't complain about the price ($300 for the basic program). I like the fact that you can set all of the sentences or ROS, etc. to automatically erase if they aren't selected - that way you only have relevent information in your note. It is so great to be able to print out a complete pre-operative consult by just inputing the new subjective, physical, ROS, data, etc.; and let the computer add all of the stored history, medication list, social & family history, etc. to your printed consult.

I've been constructing my own templates, as I find their templates a little unwieldy and dry, and I'm eager to try them out on my Toshiba. We're going to run a wireless network with a server. Both of my aides are already hard-wired into the server and can input into SoapWare directly from their stations. My IT guy is supposed to have it up and running tomorrow - so we'll see. I hope it works! Wish us luck.

Once again, do any other doctors have any comments or advice on using a Tablet PC or any kind of EMR program in their offices? Is anybody else using SoapWare - any hints, etc? Let me know.

[machdoc]

We don't have an EMR in our office but I am always looking around at what other people are using. I am at an FP residency program with 40 docs, so implementation is a bear, and the hospital sure won't help fund it right now.

I'm curious to hear how your "SOAPware" works using your Tablet PC.Does it just replace transcription and then you print it out and put it on the hard chart?

I plan on getting a Centrino Tablet PC mid-year and that program sounds like an interesting Pilot program for me to try out here.

Hope you are having success!

Ron

[machdoc]

We don't have an EMR in our office but I am always looking around at what other people are using. I am at an FP residency program with 40 docs, so implementation is a bear, and the hospital sure won't help fund it right now.

I'm curious to hear how your "SOAPware" works using your Tablet PC.Does it just replace transcription and then you print it out and put it on the hard chart?

I plan on getting a Centrino Tablet PC mid-year and that program sounds like an interesting Pilot program for me to try out here.

Hope you are having success!

Ron

[ajkelly]

Ron,
Yes, right now I'm just using the SoapWare as a transcription program - I print out the notes to put them in an old-fashioned paper chart.
I use Dragon Dictate to dictate longer paragraphs into the Subjective or Plan. It will dictate directly into SoapWare - it doesn't always capitalize sentences,etc., but it works. Simpler notes can be directly entered by toggling questions/replies to on, off, or erase with the pen or the mouse. Or you can enter shortcut phrases and the program will drop in a whole phrase or paragraph. For example, if I type "hwell" and then hit the space bar, the program drops the sentence "He doesn't report any new symptomatology. He is doing well overall." into the note.
Why am I doing it this way? Well, I'm only 1 doctor in a multi-specialty clinic and I need to maintain the paper chart for the rest of my partners. I'm basically the pilot program for my clinic - I have to prove the advantages to my partners.
My staff though, are already using the EMR - they're quickly seeing the advantages of an EMR - they are printing out med lists directly from the computer, faxing refills from the program, confirming medical issues directly from the computer program rather than pulling up the paper chart, etc. We have now designed a personalized, complete lab notification letter that the program will print out. My staff can go through my lab replies and quickly use the program to toggle the appropriate responses on or off and then print out the letter with the patient's name and address printed on the letter. They then simply fold it up and place it in an envelope with a window and mail it. We even print out the patient's med list on the letter, so that the patient can confirm their meds and bring it in to their next appt.
It's not the best program. Physicians Micro Systems Inc. has a more elegant program. Our cross town rivals may be buying that program. But the PMSI system is $2,000 per computer, with the clinic estimating at least three computers per physician. Whereas, SoapWare costs $300 for the basic program, and they let you install it in multiple computers. You can add other modules that quickly escalate the cost, but they aren't necessary. Go to www.docs.com and to www.pmsi.com and compare the programs.

[ajkelly]

Ron,
Yes, right now I'm just using the SoapWare as a transcription program - I print out the notes to put them in an old-fashioned paper chart.
I use Dragon Dictate to dictate longer paragraphs into the Subjective or Plan. It will dictate directly into SoapWare - it doesn't always capitalize sentences,etc., but it works. Simpler notes can be directly entered by toggling questions/replies to on, off, or erase with the pen or the mouse. Or you can enter shortcut phrases and the program will drop in a whole phrase or paragraph. For example, if I type "hwell" and then hit the space bar, the program drops the sentence "He doesn't report any new symptomatology. He is doing well overall." into the note.
Why am I doing it this way? Well, I'm only 1 doctor in a multi-specialty clinic and I need to maintain the paper chart for the rest of my partners. I'm basically the pilot program for my clinic - I have to prove the advantages to my partners.
My staff though, are already using the EMR - they're quickly seeing the advantages of an EMR - they are printing out med lists directly from the computer, faxing refills from the program, confirming medical issues directly from the computer program rather than pulling up the paper chart, etc. We have now designed a personalized, complete lab notification letter that the program will print out. My staff can go through my lab replies and quickly use the program to toggle the appropriate responses on or off and then print out the letter with the patient's name and address printed on the letter. They then simply fold it up and place it in an envelope with a window and mail it. We even print out the patient's med list on the letter, so that the patient can confirm their meds and bring it in to their next appt.
It's not the best program. Physicians Micro Systems Inc. has a more elegant program. Our cross town rivals may be buying that program. But the PMSI system is $2,000 per computer, with the clinic estimating at least three computers per physician. Whereas, SoapWare costs $300 for the basic program, and they let you install it in multiple computers. You can add other modules that quickly escalate the cost, but they aren't necessary. Go to www.docs.com and to www.pmsi.com and compare the programs.

[digitaldoc]

There is a Physicians SIG here http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=723

Soapware is a "Can't Lose," at $300. The first two below are much more sophisticated than Soapware and cost considerably more.

You get what you pay for for the most part but sometimes simple is better even though it is not as flexible.

1. Top Charts, at http://www.dymedisys.com/homepage2.html
http://www.e-mds.com/emds/prodserv/tops_chart.html

2. Charting Plus http://www.chartingplus.com/ortho.htm or www.medinotes.com
demo here: http://www.medinotes.com/producttour_files/frame.htm


3. SoapWare http://www.docs.com called SoapWare http://soapware.com/
demo:http://soapware.com/Products/Demos/SOAPwareSlide/odscr1.asp

4. http://www.writepad.com
5. http://www.eloquentlystated.com/

Ajkelly,

Will you be accessing your patient data on a server over an 802.11 connection with your Toshiba as a workstation?

[digitaldoc]

There is a Physicians SIG here http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=723

Soapware is a "Can't Lose," at $300. The first two below are much more sophisticated than Soapware and cost considerably more.

You get what you pay for for the most part but sometimes simple is better even though it is not as flexible.

1. Top Charts, at http://www.dymedisys.com/homepage2.html
http://www.e-mds.com/emds/prodserv/tops_chart.html

2. Charting Plus http://www.chartingplus.com/ortho.htm or www.medinotes.com
demo here: http://www.medinotes.com/producttour_files/frame.htm


3. SoapWare http://www.docs.com called SoapWare http://soapware.com/
demo:http://soapware.com/Products/Demos/SOAPwareSlide/odscr1.asp

4. http://www.writepad.com
5. http://www.eloquentlystated.com/

Ajkelly,

Will you be accessing your patient data on a server over an 802.11 connection with your Toshiba as a workstation?

[ajkelly]

Digital Doc,
well, you're probably reading my other thread as well, and already know the answer. Yes, I am running a wireless network, and using my desktop as the server, and my Toshiba as the client/workstation. As I stated in the other thread, I need to keep the server in the office, so that my staff can input info while I'm gone. They are trying to get all of my charts into the EMR, day by day.

I probably could have installed hard-wired workstations in each of my rooms for less money - looking back now with "retrospectovision" - but I sure love my new little toy! And it's good that I can carry it offsite and do notes there as well. I can also bring it home at night and play with the templates and customize them.

I'm still looking for an elegant solution to the problem of taking the Toshiba offsite and still using my EMR program and keeping the databases synched and up-to-date.

Thanks for the list - I'll check them out. Have you tried all of these programs? Ever compared them to PMSI?

I see that you have quite a bit of money invested in hardware - quite a list that you have under: Tablet PCs owned!

[ajkelly]

Digital Doc,
well, you're probably reading my other thread as well, and already know the answer. Yes, I am running a wireless network, and using my desktop as the server, and my Toshiba as the client/workstation. As I stated in the other thread, I need to keep the server in the office, so that my staff can input info while I'm gone. They are trying to get all of my charts into the EMR, day by day.

I probably could have installed hard-wired workstations in each of my rooms for less money - looking back now with "retrospectovision" - but I sure love my new little toy! And it's good that I can carry it offsite and do notes there as well. I can also bring it home at night and play with the templates and customize them.

I'm still looking for an elegant solution to the problem of taking the Toshiba offsite and still using my EMR program and keeping the databases synched and up-to-date.

Thanks for the list - I'll check them out. Have you tried all of these programs? Ever compared them to PMSI?

I see that you have quite a bit of money invested in hardware - quite a list that you have under: Tablet PCs owned!

[digitaldoc]

quote:Originally posted by ajkelly

Digital Doc,
well, you're probably reading my other thread as well, and already know the answer. Yes, I am running a wireless network, and using my desktop as the server, and my Toshiba as the client/workstation. As I stated in the other thread, I need to keep the server in the office, so that my staff can input info while I'm gone. They are trying to get all of my charts into the EMR, day by day.

I probably could have installed hard-wired workstations in each of my rooms for less money - looking back now with "retrospectovision" - but I sure love my new little toy! And it's good that I can carry it offsite and do notes there as well. I can also bring it home at night and play with the templates and customize them.

I'm still looking for an elegant solution to the problem of taking the Toshiba offsite and still using my EMR program and keeping the databases synched and up-to-date.

Thanks for the list - I'll check them out. Have you tried all of these programs? Ever compared them to PMSI?

I see that you have quite a bit of money invested in hardware - quite a list that you have under: Tablet PCs owned!


I am trying or have tried them all including PMSI. It is such a comprehensive decision that I have been saving notes with pictures in a word document that will help my decision process. The problem with all the EMR vendors don't really allow the end user a working trial. They like to send a useless demo disk that acts as a digital movie or a VNC active demo which is slow motion even on a fast DSL or T1. Soapware will, and hopefully others will give you a money back guarantee in 30 days. I understand why vendors want to sell you first. Vendors don't want to spend hours supporting someone who has no financial commitment. Buy before you try is OK with me as long as they don't dig you with large restocking fees. It takes days at the very least, to really determine what a specific EMR can do for your practice. Buying an EMR is like buying a house or car but even more difficult. Your business income is contingent on the EMR!

I am scrutinizing all these programs for possible acquisition with my new Tabletpc which I hope to have in April. I am still using my comparatively weak Fujitsu Tablet/Notebook while waiting for the second generation of Tabletpcs. As you noted, I have bought enough portable hardware over the years, and that does not include Palms and Pocketpcs. I still use my Ipaq wirelessly to chart in conjunction with my tablet, but am moving away from the Ipaq for the larger real estate and robust applications and possibilities of the Tablet.

[digitaldoc]

quote:Originally posted by ajkelly

Digital Doc,
well, you're probably reading my other thread as well, and already know the answer. Yes, I am running a wireless network, and using my desktop as the server, and my Toshiba as the client/workstation. As I stated in the other thread, I need to keep the server in the office, so that my staff can input info while I'm gone. They are trying to get all of my charts into the EMR, day by day.

I probably could have installed hard-wired workstations in each of my rooms for less money - looking back now with "retrospectovision" - but I sure love my new little toy! And it's good that I can carry it offsite and do notes there as well. I can also bring it home at night and play with the templates and customize them.

I'm still looking for an elegant solution to the problem of taking the Toshiba offsite and still using my EMR program and keeping the databases synched and up-to-date.

Thanks for the list - I'll check them out. Have you tried all of these programs? Ever compared them to PMSI?

I see that you have quite a bit of money invested in hardware - quite a list that you have under: Tablet PCs owned!


I am trying or have tried them all including PMSI. It is such a comprehensive decision that I have been saving notes with pictures in a word document that will help my decision process. The problem with all the EMR vendors don't really allow the end user a working trial. They like to send a useless demo disk that acts as a digital movie or a VNC active demo which is slow motion even on a fast DSL or T1. Soapware will, and hopefully others will give you a money back guarantee in 30 days. I understand why vendors want to sell you first. Vendors don't want to spend hours supporting someone who has no financial commitment. Buy before you try is OK with me as long as they don't dig you with large restocking fees. It takes days at the very least, to really determine what a specific EMR can do for your practice. Buying an EMR is like buying a house or car but even more difficult. Your business income is contingent on the EMR!

I am scrutinizing all these programs for possible acquisition with my new Tabletpc which I hope to have in April. I am still using my comparatively weak Fujitsu Tablet/Notebook while waiting for the second generation of Tabletpcs. As you noted, I have bought enough portable hardware over the years, and that does not include Palms and Pocketpcs. I still use my Ipaq wirelessly to chart in conjunction with my tablet, but am moving away from the Ipaq for the larger real estate and robust applications and possibilities of the Tablet.

[KStratMD]

I have been using my Tablet (Acer) for almost all my notes since mid October of last year with Journal and various templates. I love the wireless ability with broadband through our network to allow access to MDConsult, Results Review (IHC Labs, etc.) whenever I need a patient handout, report or answer to a question, all right while doing my note. (By-the-way, "Journal" is of course Zero cost with a Tablet PC). The recently released PaperPort 9.0 will allow scanning of "searchable PDF" as a native format to organize other documents into the record.
I have been investigating various programs as well to get to the next level for our 8 provider Family Practice Clinic with integrated practice management, and work flow/telephone management as well as a complete EMR. Though much more expensive than SOAPWARE, they are also much more useful and flexible, and I have currently narrowed my choices to NEXTGEN and E-MDS (Topschart). I have found the website www.ELMR.com very helpful, especially comments by HTAdvocate. They recently changed their format so the old topic headings aren't as readily apparent, but well worth the reading.

Good Luck;

KStratMD

[KStratMD]

I have been using my Tablet (Acer) for almost all my notes since mid October of last year with Journal and various templates. I love the wireless ability with broadband through our network to allow access to MDConsult, Results Review (IHC Labs, etc.) whenever I need a patient handout, report or answer to a question, all right while doing my note. (By-the-way, "Journal" is of course Zero cost with a Tablet PC). The recently released PaperPort 9.0 will allow scanning of "searchable PDF" as a native format to organize other documents into the record.
I have been investigating various programs as well to get to the next level for our 8 provider Family Practice Clinic with integrated practice management, and work flow/telephone management as well as a complete EMR. Though much more expensive than SOAPWARE, they are also much more useful and flexible, and I have currently narrowed my choices to NEXTGEN and E-MDS (Topschart). I have found the website www.ELMR.com very helpful, especially comments by HTAdvocate. They recently changed their format so the old topic headings aren't as readily apparent, but well worth the reading.

Good Luck;

KStratMD

[digitaldoc]

quote:Originally posted by KStratMD

I have been using my Tablet (Acer) for almost all my notes since mid October of last year with Journal and various templates. I love the wireless ability with broadband through our network to allow access to MDConsult, Results Review (IHC Labs, etc.) whenever I need a patient handout, report or answer to a question, all right while doing my note. (By-the-way, "Journal" is of course Zero cost with a Tablet PC). The recently released PaperPort 9.0 will allow scanning of "searchable PDF" as a native format to organize other documents into the record.
I have been investigating various programs as well to get to the next level for our 8 provider Family Practice Clinic with integrated practice management, and work flow/telephone management as well as a complete EMR. Though much more expensive than SOAPWARE, they are also much more useful and flexible, and I have currently narrowed my choices to NEXTGEN and E-MDS (Topschart). I have found the website www.ELMR.com very helpful, especially comments by HTAdvocate. They recently changed their format so the old topic headings aren't as readily apparent, but well worth the reading.

Good Luck;

KStratMD



I concur. NEXTGEN and E-MDS (Topschart)offer very expensive but excellent robust and "integrative packages" that leave essentially no add on modules to be purchased. Integrating the accounts receivable with the charting is the best, albeit expensive way to go. (Top Charts will sell you only the charting).

[digitaldoc]

quote:Originally posted by KStratMD

I have been using my Tablet (Acer) for almost all my notes since mid October of last year with Journal and various templates. I love the wireless ability with broadband through our network to allow access to MDConsult, Results Review (IHC Labs, etc.) whenever I need a patient handout, report or answer to a question, all right while doing my note. (By-the-way, "Journal" is of course Zero cost with a Tablet PC). The recently released PaperPort 9.0 will allow scanning of "searchable PDF" as a native format to organize other documents into the record.
I have been investigating various programs as well to get to the next level for our 8 provider Family Practice Clinic with integrated practice management, and work flow/telephone management as well as a complete EMR. Though much more expensive than SOAPWARE, they are also much more useful and flexible, and I have currently narrowed my choices to NEXTGEN and E-MDS (Topschart). I have found the website www.ELMR.com very helpful, especially comments by HTAdvocate. They recently changed their format so the old topic headings aren't as readily apparent, but well worth the reading.

Good Luck;

KStratMD



I concur. NEXTGEN and E-MDS (Topschart)offer very expensive but excellent robust and "integrative packages" that leave essentially no add on modules to be purchased. Integrating the accounts receivable with the charting is the best, albeit expensive way to go. (Top Charts will sell you only the charting).

[ajkelly]

KStrat,
Did you design your own templates? Do you have a way to toggle ROS questions/answers to positive, negative, or erase?
Are you handwriting some of your notes directly into Journal with the pen?
What is your favorite patient-information website?
Thanks for the web page post - I'll check it out.

[ajkelly]

KStrat,
Did you design your own templates? Do you have a way to toggle ROS questions/answers to positive, negative, or erase?
Are you handwriting some of your notes directly into Journal with the pen?
What is your favorite patient-information website?
Thanks for the web page post - I'll check it out.

[ajkelly]

KStrat,
Thanks for the website: www.ELMR.com.
A very informative website - I really enjoyed the thread "Incorporating voice recognition with EMR."

I have been using DragonDictate and SoapWare. For simple visits (ie - sinusitis, etc), I have designed my own templates and I can do the whole note by just turning the appropriate responses/sentences/ROS on by using the pen. And my templates look more like a dictated note - not like those NL/ABNL templates that drive me crazy.

For more complex notes, I dictate the subjective and the plan. I love that I can carry the same physical forward and modify it as needed. I love that I can bring the assessment forward. I'm finding that in just the last month, that I'm a better doctor, because I'm not forgetting old info or old assesments.

And I love that I can print out a personalized pre-operative consult in only a few minutes, just by dictating the subjective, the data, and the plan, and having the EMR print-out all of the stored info.

I agree that SoapWare isn't the best program, but it is getting the job done for me right now, as I continue to research and explore this topic. My eventual goal is to convince some of my partners (or wait for the old-guard to die out - just kidding) of the benefits of an EMR and convert the whole clinic. I'm patient, and I'll keep waiting for the technology and the software to catch up.

[ajkelly]

KStrat,
Thanks for the website: www.ELMR.com.
A very informative website - I really enjoyed the thread "Incorporating voice recognition with EMR."

I have been using DragonDictate and SoapWare. For simple visits (ie - sinusitis, etc), I have designed my own templates and I can do the whole note by just turning the appropriate responses/sentences/ROS on by using the pen. And my templates look more like a dictated note - not like those NL/ABNL templates that drive me crazy.

For more complex notes, I dictate the subjective and the plan. I love that I can carry the same physical forward and modify it as needed. I love that I can bring the assessment forward. I'm finding that in just the last month, that I'm a better doctor, because I'm not forgetting old info or old assesments.

And I love that I can print out a personalized pre-operative consult in only a few minutes, just by dictating the subjective, the data, and the plan, and having the EMR print-out all of the stored info.

I agree that SoapWare isn't the best program, but it is getting the job done for me right now, as I continue to research and explore this topic. My eventual goal is to convince some of my partners (or wait for the old-guard to die out - just kidding) of the benefits of an EMR and convert the whole clinic. I'm patient, and I'll keep waiting for the technology and the software to catch up.