This new feature enhances the usability and functionality of fields containing data regularly tracked on a patient, where only the most recent update needs to be displayed. Examples of this type of data entry include Surgical History, Medical History, Social History, and Advanced Directives. Users can update Past Medical History or Social History without having to open a note. Previously, this could be accomplished with Sub Notes and Chart Headers, but Patient Updates provide text formatting options and ease of initial setup.

To begin setup, go to Admin > System Setup > Lookup Lists > Patient Headers.

Click "New," and enter a Patient Update Name and Field Name. 

Next, in User Preferences > Header Tabs, select "Patient Updates" and then the Patient Update Name as set up in Lookup Lists.

On the Chart Headers, the most recent data will be displayed. Click the Header Name to see a history of changes. 

Use the Bold, Italics, Underline, and Strikethrough options to format the text. 

On a Note, use the new "Patient Update Control" by placing it on the note and linking the Field name to the Patient Header in Lookup Lists. 

When you make an edit to one of these fields on a note, it will immediately update on the Chart Widget.