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Post by vaderkty on Jul 16, 2014 11:40:56 GMT -6
I have been in the back office when a problem patient arrives. It would be nice to be able to convey this issue to the front desk or optician in front office without having to run into the front of the store, especially if I am on the phone or otherwise engaged. I was wondering if there was a way to create a chat window within crystal itself to discreetly call issues to the attention of other staff without customers hearing what we are saying. Just a thought...
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Post by KizerOpt on Jul 16, 2014 12:31:01 GMT -6
We use Skype. Will go to Lync when they get it working better. I have Skype set up for the office so we can do just that without the intercom going off all the time. Also is good to let the techs know when a patient is ready, someone comes for dispensing, or to tell the dr what pt is ready in which room next.
Karen
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Post by vaderkty on Jul 16, 2014 13:04:06 GMT -6
Internet applications are no good for our office. our internet is a bit spotty
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Post by erica on Jul 16, 2014 14:46:28 GMT -6
That would be pretty awesome! I know that we would use it a ton as well. We use yahoo right now, which works pretty well - just another thing to download and get everybody's username though. The only thing is that I'm sure that the user would need to be logged in in order to message them which might be an issue.
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Post by mdeyedoc on Jul 16, 2014 15:15:59 GMT -6
We use Message Pal as recommended by several docs on Optcomlist. messagepal.com/It works pretty well and isn't dependent on anyone being logged in but I believe the computer has to be awake. Each computer can have customized quick questions and responses. You can create groups if you frequently need to send messages to a specific set of people. They offer a 30 day trial and then you need to buy a license for each workstation you want to use it on. It varies from $15-$20/computer depending on the number of installations. Marcia
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Post by KizerOpt on Jul 17, 2014 8:14:15 GMT -6
Lync will work within the network. We haven't cared for it yet, because you have to turn the volume up on the computer to hear it - therefore EVERYTHING gets louder! If that's not a problem, Lync would be another option.
Karen
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Post by vistaeyecarecolorado on Aug 14, 2014 15:37:43 GMT -6
I agree with having some sort of alert or chat program. We have a busy office and we would like to change how Doctor/Optician hand-offs are handled. Rather than the doctor coming out of the exam room and chasing down a free optician, we would like a feature in Crystal that allows the Doctor to basically page a Tech or Optician through Crystal. The tech or optician then reports to a designated exam room for a closed door hand-off. It should be a simple alert that pops up on all computers logged into Crystal. Example: Pop up window warning - "Optician report to Exam Room 1" or "Tech report to Exam Room 3" with a time stamp. A reason might not be necessary, but at least a way for the Doctors to alert staff that are sitting at a computer currently using Crystal. There are already alert features in place for patient records, so something like this shouldn't be difficult to program. A chat feature that can tie in this type of alert feature would be amazing.
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Post by Kraig on Aug 14, 2014 18:08:33 GMT -6
I can only imagine the number of doctors that would be yelling to get the pop ups off of their screen because they're with a patient and it's blocking the IOP they're trying to enter or something similar.
Honestly, there are many 3rd party solutions on the market. I know of a local office that has a small pager system, where everyone has a pager and each computer has a small window open where you can hop on and type a message that gets sent out. I'm not sure of the name, but I'd be happy to find out if anyone is interested. Yahoo Messenger is also a good (and free) solution. Just create several accounts, one for each exam room and another for the front desk?
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Post by mdeyedoc on Aug 14, 2014 21:23:45 GMT -6
Some kind of notification system within Crystal might be nice but I'd prefer that the developers work on features that aren't available elsewhere. And I can almost guarantee that you really don't want something that pops up on every computer. As Kraig said, there are several products that will do what you want. Many have been suggested above. I use Message Pal and it sounds like it would do what you want and much more. They have a 30 day trial so you have nothing to lose.
Marcia
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Post by vaderkty on Aug 15, 2014 12:46:30 GMT -6
Something can be assigned to a specific, logged in, person that does not disrupt the features of data entry. there is tons of usable space off to the right side of crystal that could easily accommodate a chat system without disruption and you could have it as a turn off/ on feature so if you don't like it, don't use it. We are a small, money conscience store where this would be much needed. It would definitely be nice for hand off from the doctor when no optician is available immediately but he needs to get some info to us that is important to know.
I am just asking for something no more invasive than the gmail chat window when in gmail. We could use that but not everyone here has a gmail account (or there are too many gmail accounts and you never know which one you are logged into). I also like to have a more permanent record of conversations, especially in regards to information passed between employees about patient data. Tasks window really isn't practical for this sort of thing.
A shrinkable, (possible blinking when shrunk but new info arrives) window that fits in corner of right hand side that gives us immediate and documented information on a patient would be helpful and an EXCELLENT selling feature. We do not need to nickel and dime ourselves with 3rd party apps when we have to pay for eyefinity, trizetto, etc. (thank god doc me in is a free service) And it would be nice if the chat would save to correspondence notes in the patient files for later viewing.
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dan
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by dan on Aug 15, 2014 15:58:14 GMT -6
We use Blue Note Software - Intra-office (does not use the internet) Communication system. It is designed for dentist, but is easily customizable. FWIW www.bluenotesoftware.com/
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Post by vaderkty on Aug 16, 2014 10:10:18 GMT -6
Bluenote is 600 bucks and 99 a year for support.....
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Post by mdeyedoc on Aug 16, 2014 10:10:19 GMT -6
Something can be assigned to a specific, logged in, person that does not disrupt the features of data entry. there is tons of usable space off to the right side of crystal that could easily accommodate a chat system without disruption and you could have it as a turn off/ on feature so if you don't like it, don't use it. We are a small, money conscience store where this would be much needed. It would definitely be nice for hand off from the doctor when no optician is available immediately but he needs to get some info to us that is important to know. I am just asking for something no more invasive than the gmail chat window when in gmail. We could use that but not everyone here has a gmail account (or there are too many gmail accounts and you never know which one you are logged into). I also like to have a more permanent record of conversations, especially in regards to information passed between employees about patient data. Tasks window really isn't practical for this sort of thing. A shrinkable, (possible blinking when shrunk but new info arrives) window that fits in corner of right hand side that gives us immediate and documented information on a patient would be helpful and an EXCELLENT selling feature. We do not need to nickel and dime ourselves with 3rd party apps when we have to pay for eyefinity, trizetto, etc. (thank god doc me in is a free service) And it would be nice if the chat would save to correspondence notes in the patient files for later viewing. It may seem to you that these are minor requests but they are totally new features that will take a significant amount of developer resources. A practice doesn't get much smaller than mine and nobody wants to spend more money on 3rd party software but it costs Crystal to develop a feature and we will ultimately be paying for it either through increased yearly maintenance fees or some other features not being developed or improved. 3rd party solutions are often more cost-effective because they spread their development costs over a much larger user base than Crystal PM has. Plus you may only care about feature A,B,C but maybe I really want D and E. 3rd party apps give you the flexibility to get the system that meets your needs and budget instead of settling for whatever Crystal comes up with. Marcia
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Post by vaderkty on Aug 18, 2014 9:18:42 GMT -6
I was under the impression that this request section was for request we wished to make. I was unaware it was for debates. I was just asking for a feature I was aware others had wanted. No more no less. As for developers are concerned...I am MORE than aware of what can be done in a computer since EVERYONE in my family and friends BUT me either run networks, develop software for the government or build/teach users. Code monkeys and engineers are all I get to talk to.
I just thought it might be nice to try to add a new selling point that I am fine paying a bit more a year for because I know the quality of work I am getting for this company. I do not wish to spend my money on 3rd party apps to pay, yet another bill, AND try to justify the expense to people that think computers are not even important in our day to day operations.
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Post by brittneyb on Aug 27, 2014 11:48:05 GMT -6
I think a chat feature as you were describing vaderkty would be very helpful. We too are a small office and instead of getting up every time we need to speak to one another it would be nice to use a "chat feature". We use the chat feature in gmail but the hard part of that is people don't always have their e-mails up or often have too many tabs open to notice the blinking gmail tab. Everyone in our office has Crystal pulled up in some fashion on their screens 95% of the day. It would be nice if it could shrink down so when you are entering data or with a patient you don't have a chat box open.
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