Further useful tips and tricks for EMIS users to help in their day to day practice.
1. Recall schedule- this is a system that will automatically put in a diary entry when you put in a particular Read code. For example you may want to code a diary entry for a repeat depot contraceptive when you put in the code depot given. Use DT >> B then A to add and follow the instructions to add the recall entry of your choice.
2. Unifying- this is a useful housekeeping function when looking at the patient’s problem list. If there are 2 codes which are coding the same disease and you want merge then by using U for unify. Highlight both codes with the space bar then press U for unify. You will then be asked what code you want to keep and what date- usually you keep the older one.
3. Grouping: you can group problems under an overall heading if you want. For example you may want to put in a code of IHD then group their MI and stroke under this. Highlight those problems you want to group using the space bar then press G for group and choose the header item.
4. CVD risk calculator- a new one is being developed which is based on the UK population and will is being integrated into EMIS hopefully by early 2008. Until then you can use an online version at www.qrisk.org.
5. Synonyms: it is possible to create a list of codes that practices want only to use under a particular disease area. So if you type in =CVS when entering a problem, we will only be presented with codes that should be used for cardiovascular problems. This needs some work to set it up but can be useful to standardise code use in a practice. Set these up by DT >> S >> C.
6. Do not use an operation code when reviewing a problem about that operation. For example, if the patient has had a cholecystectomy and comes back with a problem due to that, then do not use cholecystectomy as the code even if you use it in review mode- it will look like the patient has had lots of cholecystectomies!
7. Don’t use history of ( H/O) codes – they are not useful and can be confusing in medical records.
8. Code to the level of certainty. So for example, don’t code for CVA until you are certain they have had this- code the symptom until a diagnosis is clear.
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