3Introduction to Medisoft

Learning Outcomes

When you finish this chapter, you will be able to:3.1 List the six databases Medisoft uses to store

information.3.2 List the menus in Medisoft.3.3 Explain the function of the Medisoft toolbar.3.4 Explain how to enter, edit, save, and delete data in

Medisoft.3.5 Describe how to change the Program Date in

Medisoft.3.6 Discuss three types of help available in Medisoft.

3-2

Learning Outcomes (Continued)

When you finish this chapter, you will be able to:3.7 Explain how to create and restore backup files in

Medisoft. 3.8 Describe the functions of the file maintenance

utilities in Medisoft.3.9 Describe the Medisoft security features used to

ensure compliance with HIPAA and HITECH regulations.

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Key Terms• Access rights• Auto Log Off• backup data• database• knowledge base• Medisoft Program Date

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• MMDDCCYY format• packing data• purging data• rebuilding indexes• recalculating balances• restoring data

3.1 The Medisoft Databases3-5

• Medisoft is a Practice Management Program• A database is a collection of related pieces of

information• Medisoft stores six major types of data:

1. Provider data2. Patient data3. Insurance carriers4. Diagnosis codes5. Procedure codes6. Transactions

3.2 The Medisoft Menus3-6

• Medisoft actions are found in menus:File Menu Edit Menu Activities Menu

3.2 The Medisoft Menus (Continued)3-7

• Medisoft actions are found in menus:Lists Menu Reports Menu Tools Menu

3.2 The Medisoft Menus (Continued)3-8

• Medisoft actions are found in menus:Windows Menu Help Menu

3.3 The Medisoft Toolbar3-9

• The toolbar contains a series of buttons with icons, used as shortcuts to select actions

Log on to Computer!• Login using SID and password• Start Medisoft– Either blue circle icon or– Start – Programs – Medisoft – Medisoft

Advanced Patient Accounting– In the Find Medisoft Database dialogue box,

type C:\Medidata

3.4 Entering, Editing, Saving, andDeleting Data in Medisoft

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• Medisoft offers the following capabilities for data management:– Entering Data– Editing Data– Saving Data– Deleting Data

3.4 Entering, Editing, Saving, andDeleting Data in Medisoft (Continued)

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• Entering Data– All data entered through the menu bar or toolbar– Selecting an option opens a dialog box– Tab key moves between boxes within a dialog box– Data entered through keying or by selecting an

item, such as from a drop-down list• Editing Data– Follow steps used to enter data to edit it– Newly entered data will overwrite old data

3.4 Entering, Editing, Saving, andDeleting Data in Medisoft (Continued)

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• Saving Data– Click the Save button that appears in most dialog

boxes– Select a location to save the data

• Deleting Data– Click the Delete button offered in some dialog boxes– If there is no Delete button, select the information and

click the Delete key on the keyboard or right-click the mouse and select the Delete option from the shortcut menu

3.5 Changing the Medisoft Program Date3-13

• The Medisoft Program Date is the date the program uses to record when a transaction occurred

• In most Medisoft dialog boxes, dates must be entered in the MMDDCCYY format– MM = month– DD = day– CC = century– YY = year

3.5 Changing the MedisoftProgram Date (Continued)

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• The Medisoft program date must be correctly set by the userPop-up

CalendarCalendar month

pop-up listCalendar year

Pop-up list

3.6 Using Medisoft Help3-15

• Medisoft offers three types of help:1. Hints displayed as the cursor moves over certain

fields2. Built-in help feature3. The Medisoft corporate website at:

http://www.Medisoft.com• Offers a searchable knowledge base, a collection of

up-to-date technical information about Medisoft products

3.7 Creating and Restoring Backup Files3-16

• Backup data is an extra copy of data made at a specific time

• To create a backup file:1. Click File > Backup Data2. Click OK in response to the Backup Warning message3. Confirm the backup file’s destination path and file

Click the Start Backup button4. When the Backup Complete box appears, click OK5. Close the Medisoft Backup dialog box

3.7 Creating and RestoringBackup Files (Continued)

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• Backup data can be used in the event the database file is damaged

Backup dialog box

Shows where the datawill be stored

3.7 Creating and RestoringBackup Files (Continued)

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• The process of retrieving data from backup storage devices is referred to as restoring data

• To restore data in Medisoft:1. Start Medisoft2. Insert the media that contains the backup file in the

appropriate drive3. Click File > Restore Data4. When the Warning box appears, click OK5. Confirm the path and file name of the backup file to be

restored6. Click the Start Restore button

3.7 Creating and RestoringBackup Files (Continued)

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6. When the Confirm box appears, click OK7. When the Restore Complete message appears,

click OK8. Close the Restore dialog box

3.7 Creating and RestoringBackup Files (Continued)

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• Restore data to load previously saved files and overwrite the current database

Restore dialog box

Verify the data fileIs correct here

3.8 Medisoft’s File Maintenance Utilities3-21

• Medisoft includes four utilities for maintaining the database:1. Rebuild Indexes2. Pack Data3. Purge Data4. Recalculate Balances

3.8 Medisoft’s File MaintenanceUtilities (Continued)

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• The Rebuild Indexes utility checks and verifies data and corrects any internal problems that may exist

3.8 Medisoft’s File MaintenanceUtilities (Continued)

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• The Pack Data utility deletes data that has been marked for deletion in the program. This process is similar to emptying the Recycle Bin in Windows.

3.8 Medisoft’s File MaintenanceUtilities (Continued)

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• The Purge Data utility removes data that has been marked for deletion in the program, but does not delete it from the program

3.8 Medisoft’s File MaintenanceUtilities (Continued)

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• The Recalculate Balances utility updates balances in patient accounts

3.9 Using Medisoft Security Features to Ensure HIPAA and HITECH Compliance

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• Access rights determine what a user can access, view, enter, and edit

• Medisoft requires users to input a Login Name and a Password

• The Auto Log Off feature automatically logs the user off Medisoft due to inactivity