NOTICE TO DOCTORS AND STAFF

Instant Messaging

I am excited to announce that by Thursday of next week, we are going to have instant messaging capability at all office locations. For those unfamiliar with instant messaging (IM), it’s similar to our eClinicalworks messaging system except the messages are more apparent on your screen and easier to reply, allowing for “real-time” communication as well as other capabilities.

CAPABILITIES

  • There are 6 groups that you can send a mass instant message to, and you can belong to more than one group/subgroup. (Doctors, Partners, Staff, Nurses, Front Office, Billing)
  • Internet links can be sent to other users (they just have to click and the link will take them right to the webpage you want them to see).
  • Files can be sent (schedule requests, pictures, memo’s, etc).
  • You can see who is logged on to their computers, and you can set up “I’m away” messages when you are at lunch, etc.

GUIDELINES

  • All IM conversations are recorded/saved and reviewable so all "chats" will need to be work-based and professional. I will be doing random reviews on a regular basis. This is not the program to use to “chat” about private issues.
  • Overuse can be an annoyance. Mass instant messages should only be used when necessary, otherwise use the eClinicalworks message system. Instant Messaging should be used only for urgent messages that need to be seen within minutes or messages that have files or weblinks associated with them.
  • No “happy birthday”, or “can someone give me a ride” mass IM’s should be sent.

PRACTICAL USES

Doctor/Nurse Scenarios:

Doctor to Nurse: Rm 8 needs CBC

Nurse to Dr: Rm 4 has another question

Nurse to Dr: Rm 3 has been waiting, getting anxious

Nurse to Dr.:Rm 2 is very sick, please come in ASAP

Doctor/Doctor Scenarios:

Dr. A to Dr. B: I have patient x here with disease y… can you tell me more about him?

Dr. A to Dr. B: How would you treat this? (describe issue)

Nurse/Nurse Scenarios:

Nurse A to Nurse B: Can you please give my shots in room 2? Getting behind!

Front Office/Doctor:

Doctor to Front Office: When off the phone, please call Mrs. X

Front Office to Doctor: Dr. Smith on 101 about patient Joe Doe (reduce overhead paging!)

Front Office to Front Office: Do you have chart on Mary Park?

Other uses:

a) Communicating with the triage nurse about a patient without having your instructions be part of the EMR chart/Telephone encounter

b) Managers relaying important, time sensitive information to their staff

I will be putting together a brief handbook to help you with the program and sending that out shortly.

Tom