Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “update medical histories and medication lists at each visit”

Here is the best way to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

20 min
typically, every day
60%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 1

Software feature

Send digital forms before the visit that write into the chart

Patients fill in their health history, medications, consents and insurance card photos on their phone before they arrive; returning patients just confirm what changed. No clipboards, no retyping.

Typically saves about 50% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Turn on digital forms in your practice system or patient communication tool (Weave, NexHealth, RevenueWell, Lighthouse 360 or Solutionreach, or your system's own forms).
  2. 2Move your paper forms into it, including consents.
  3. 3Send the link automatically with the appointment reminder; ask returning patients to update only what changed.
  4. 4Keep a tablet at the front desk for patients who did not finish.
  5. 5Only use tools your practice has approved and covered by a HIPAA business associate agreement (BAA) for anything with patient information.

Tools: Weave, NexHealth, RevenueWell, Lighthouse 360 or Solutionreach · Your practice management system (Dentrix, Eaglesoft, Open Dental, Curve, Denticon, CareStack or similar)

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

DentistDental hygienist / assistant

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Other common tasks for Dentists