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Do any of the EMRs out there have an instant messaging function?
This seems to me to be such a simple and useful function, but as far as I know none of the EMR companies have put this in their EMR. I have brought it up with mine (Allscripts) and been flat out told “no.”
Not every communication between staff needs to be documented for posterity and instant messaging is a great aid to work flow and efficiency. The problem with the messaging function in the EMRs is that one has to go look for messages. With instant messaging it will pop up on your screen thus dramatically reducing response time.
Using something like AOL works if one is using mobile computers and everyone carries their own computer around, but if you do like us and use PCs at the various stations it does not work very well because everyone is moving from computer to computer. On the other hand, if it was part of the EMR module, then it would follow you around to wherever you log in to the EMR.
Keith Stafford, MD
Greer, SC
drwkscfm: Do any of the EMRs out there have an instant messaging function? This seems to me to be such a simple and useful function, but as far as I know none of the EMR companies have put this in their EMR. I have brought it up with mine (Allscripts) and been flat out told “no.” Not every communication between staff needs to be documented for posterity and instant messaging is a great aid to work flow and efficiency. The problem with the messaging function in the EMRs is that one has to go look for messages. With instant messaging it will pop up on your screen thus dramatically reducing response time. Using something like AOL works if one is using mobile computers and everyone carries their own computer around, but if you do like us and use PCs at the various stations it does not work very well because everyone is moving from computer to computer. On the other hand, if it was part of the EMR module, then it would follow you around to wherever you log in to the EMR. Keith Stafford, MD Greer, SC
Keith Stafford, MD Greer, SC
Classic example of why I say all EMRs suck.
No instant messaging ? ... that is plain stupid.
Most EMRs were made so long ago they didnt think of obvious things like this.
It would be very interesting to see what percent of CCHIT EMRs have instant messaging. Note: I said instant messaging, not just messaging. Of course, you need both.
Of course, Synapse has instant messaging integrated with the patient database. I'd like to see it go further even .. but that's another story. Did I mention Synapse does Text Messaging as well !
I have used instant messaging since the first day I started. 5 years ago there were only a handful of choices, now there are lots.
Email me or PM me, and I can help you with good choices, depending on what you want to accomplish.
Any vendor not doing a superb job of instant messaging should ask themselves, why is my EMR so antiquated already ?
In 2009, there is zero excuses for not having robust instant messaging. Z E R O.
I'm making a list of Why EMRs suck. This was #7. Thanks for bringing it up.
email:
The problem with IM is that generally they work through the internet. On my planet, Earth, that leads to staff abuse .
Hence, I use a LAN only IM by http://www.r2.com.au/software.php?page=2&show=tonic&PHPSESSID=0741bc2be0a117c1d1a639608d977db1
"You want the power and convenience of instant messaging, but don't need or want the clients to talk to the outside world. Be it a bunch of friends having a LAN party, or a large corporation - instant messaging makes working together easy. Unfortunately, existing instant messengers allow users to communicate with the entire planet, not just your local network."
I use Tonic on my TabletPC and on almost every desktop in my office. I have 6 treatment rooms and I have named each room in Tonic (Room 1, Room 2,etc). I often send an IM to the front desk, from a specific room, which of course is instant!
An EMR vendor could incorporate a shortcut to this free program by a command button within their EMR. Alternatively, simple go to the taks bar and click on the tonic icon.
There are better LAN IMs but not for free.
Chris Wilkerson, D.C. Carson Doctors Group TabletPCs in Medicine Editor-in-Chief www.MedicalTabletPC.com Home: www.Digital-Doc.com
I wonder if something as useful as IM is on the CCHIT feature requirement list? Probably not as that is something a user would ask for :)
Lowell Kleinman, MD www.drkleinman.com www.old-fashionedhousecalls.com
We've discussed having IM as part of our EMR, but we really don't want that to happen, because we don't want an IM to pop up while we're working with another patient. For example, we're in a room charting on a patient and the IM pops up. If we're in the middle of charting on a patient, then we're not usually in a position to respond to an IM.
There are certainly some work arounds to the above scenario such as saving your IM message regardless of where you've logged into the EMR. Also, if you're carrying your tablet/laptop around with you that works well also, but we prefer having the computer in the room for a number of other reasons.
I like the idea of each room having its own IM account. Essentially facilitating communication from within the room to someone outside. Could work really well. I'm going to have to try that.
John Lynn My EMR and HIPAA BlogMy New EMR and EHR Blog My EMR Selection e-Book
techguy: I like the idea of each room having its own IM account. Essentially facilitating communication from within the room to someone outside. Could work really well. I'm going to have to try that.
Yes the purpose of IM is for ME to bark around orders at my whim, not my staff telling me what to do ! Although I do accept quick messages .......
Q: Hospital says Joe's Antibiotic is out to date, do you want to finish the course ?
A: Yes.
IM is for short things.
I am researching Instant Voice Messaging via a Telephone/PBX (Asterisk). I have to research how it will show up on my staff's PCs and if it is possible to integrate it into Synapse. I conduct alot of messaging in my office daily and some explanations are not straight-forward and thus take alot of time and energy to type. Thus, I want to just "say it !". I want to save my time, but also cut out useless appointments to my office.
I can do Voice Communication from PC to PC but it's real time, not asynchronous.
One reason I want instant voice messages is that I sometimes get ideas for patients after hours (when doing my INBOX at home, for instance). I want to "get it off my plate" right then and there while I am thinking about it.
>> we don't want an IM to pop up while we're working with another patient.<<
This can be a a real problem as the patient can possibly read the message if it arrives on a desktop monitor, although less so for a Tabletpc. Also, a staff member may accidentally send a message to the wrong room! My IM messages arrive as a blinking envelope but there is a setting to have it just pop up on the screen for anyone to read.
Anyway, I have instructed my staff to NOT respond to any IMs from Rooms 1-6, even if I send them a message from one of these rooms. Alternatively if required to respond, do so to my Desktop or TPC.
For my office, IM is unilateral and should not be bilateral communication. I try and keep it to Order to the front desk. before the patient arrives after exiting the treatment room. Also, Outlook email and Calendar does a lot better job for follow up, so IM is secondary for me.
digital-doc: IM messages arrive as a blinking envelope but there is a setting to have it just pop up on the screen for anyone to read.
IM messages arrive as a blinking envelope but there is a setting to have it just pop up on the screen for anyone to read.
When you click to open messages ... does the sender get a message "your message was opened by Room4" ?
That'd be nice.
DrMurdoch: I conduct alot of messaging in my office daily and some explanations are not straight-forward and thus take alot of time and energy to type. Thus, I want to just "say it !". I want to save my time, but also cut out useless appointments to my office. I can do Voice Communication from PC to PC but it's real time, not asynchronous. One reason I want instant voice messages is that I sometimes get ideas for patients after hours (when doing my INBOX at home, for instance). I want to "get it off my plate" right then and there while I am thinking about it.
I conduct alot of messaging in my office daily and some explanations are not straight-forward and thus take alot of time and energy to type. Thus, I want to just "say it !". I want to save my time, but also cut out useless appointments to my office.
Why not use Dragon in the message text box instead of typing?
Margalit
Margalit Gur-Arie
My brand new Blog: On Healthcare Technology
>>Thus, I want to just "say it !". I want to save my time, but also cut out useless appointments to my office.<<
This may not be of value, but if you do a lot of repeat orders, you could make a quick sound file in advance, labeled appropriately, and organized in a folder that you could attach to an email or IM.
elidan: Why not use Dragon in the message text box instead of typing? Margalit
Hmmm ... Good idea, I'll try it. I've never ever really experienced Dragon to it's fullest (maximized setting, optimal PC, great MIC, etc.) yet.
I am ramping up Dragon with my new Pods. I paid +++ $$$ to make them soundproof so people couldn't hear me dictate, talk on the phone.
I think Dragon could fit another niche in instant messaging.
Especially because my secretary is so busy, she doesn't have time to listen to messages either (although I am going to make her !). I bet she would usually prefer reading them.
digital-doc: >>Thus, I want to just "say it !". I want to save my time, but also cut out useless appointments to my office.<< This may not be of value, but if you do a lot of repeat orders, you could make a quick sound file in advance, labeled appropriately, and organized in a folder that you could attach to an email or IM.
This just makes me realize that I need to do a better job of implementing my portal and consider ramping up patient/office emailing.
I spend too much time researching and thinking about digital medicine to do a good job implementing it more fully in my office.
But my goals were always different than just making MY office great.
As we know IMPLEMENTATION IS KEY !!!
/sad.but.true.
My poor vendor must hate our office ! (just kidding).
We have stared using IM informally at the hospital. If you don't IM you might start losing referrals.
"Will you see Mr. X in 355 for possible gallbladder?"
"Sure."
"He needs a HIDA. I ordered it. If that's positive I'll schedule for AM. Would you put a note in the chart about his EKG for anesthesia?"
"Done."
"HIDAA positive. He's scheduled for 7:30 AM. - Thanks."
"Thank-you."
Cool ! Tell us more about it.
What IM client ?
Hospital officially allows it ?
Does everyone have a handheld device ?
Writing an instant messager is not tough work; tougher is getting it right.
Medtuity does not have instant messaging but I've been working on something.
Would this be valuable in an in-office IM: If John Doe is your current pt, have the option to click to include a reference to John Doe in the message? That is, the pt's hidden identifier would be included in the message to allow the recipient to click on it to open the chart immediately.
Also, is there any reason to save the messaging long term? Would it be useful to allow a click-to-save-to-pt's-chart option?
Because Medtuity can easily derive who is logged into each copy of Medtuity, would it be worthwhile to:
(1) Allow broadcast of the message to all computers running Medtuity?
(2) Allow broadcast to a particular person?
(3) Allow broadcast to a particular room?
I appreciate you replies,