๐จ Important - This article is only relevant to sites using the new notes experience currently rolling out across sites.
Why have my clinical notes moved?
Clinical notes are now saved at the appointment level, rather than against individual treatment items. The updated clinical note sidebar has also been optimised for ambient appointment listening!
We have also improved our note saving experience. All notes are auto-saved and every change is tracked in the audit trail, ensuring full traceability of your records.
These changes are designed to make clinical note-taking simpler, clearer, and more efficient.
Clinical notes are now saved against the appointment
Previously, clinical notes were attached to individual treatment items. This meant that notes for a single visit could be spread across multiple treatments.
Clinical notes are now created in one central location, the clinical note sidebar, and are saved straight to the patients clinical history. This creates a single, unified record of the entire visit.
Clinical notes no longer lock after 24 hours
Previously, clinical notes would automatically lock 24 hours after being created, which meant adding further information required additional steps.
Notes no longer lock automatically. Locking a note is now a deliberate action you take once you have reviewed it and are satisfied the record is complete, giving you confidence that everything locked to the patient record is accurate and contemporaneous.
If you need to add information after locking, you can do so at any time using an amendment. Amendments are recorded with the date, time, and the name of the user who made them, keeping the original note intact and ensuring a full audit trail is maintained.
Where to find clinical notes now
You must now access and edit clinical notes from the clinical note sidebar.
Open the patientโs chart
Locate and click the 'View note' or'Create note' button against the patients appt on their treatment plan. Or just click to open the clinical sidebar from the top right.
Type or dictate your notes as preferred. Alternatively, record your full appointment to capture the conversation and help ensure accurate notes.
What happens to my existing notes?
Any notes already attached to a treatment plan item will remain in place and can be edited until the item is locked. An item locks when it is charged and marked as complete.
Once an item is locked, existing notes can no longer be edited. It will not be possible to create new notes directly on a treatment plan item going forward.
Benefits of moving to appointment-level clinical notes
Clearer records: One complete note per visit
Less duplication: No need to repeat notes across treatment items
Improved efficiency: Faster documentation with all editing done in one location
Better visibility: Easier to review past notes in your patient's history