15.3.5556 Release Notes

Released May 29th, 2024

This page describes the enhancements, fixes, and known issues in the latest OfficeMate/ExamWRITER release.

OfficeMate Enhancements

  • We switched the Scheduler Welcome Form time stamp from a 24-hour format to a 12-hour format to make it easier to tell when the form was printed.
  • We updated security parameters for downloading data in this release. These updated security parameters will soon be required in order to continue using these features via this installed release.

OfficeMate Fixed Issues

  • We corrected an issue that prevented the Appointment Scheduler from listing open appointments in chronological order to help you find open appointments more quickly.

  • We fixed an issue that prevented patients with multiple appointments from appearing on the Quick List. You'll now be able to see each appointment for a patient and avoid issues such as double-booking the same time slot.

  • You can now search for a language using the first three letters of that language on the Preferred Languages tab in the Customization menu.

  • We corrected an issue that prevented the Open Charges report from breaking down open charges by location when running it through OfficeMate Administration. Now, the report breaks down open charges by location to make the report easier to understand.
  • We fixed an issue that sorted Fee Slip Detail reports by month and day, but not by the year, when choosing By Posting Date for the Type. The results will now display chronologically by year as well, giving you another tool to interpret and track them.
  • We alphabetized the Ship To Address states in the Contact Lens Rx Order window to make it easier to locate the state you need to select when submitting orders.

  • We fixed an issue that prevented the Print description for an amount billed to insurance field in the Fee Slips Comment Text box from saving when it was updated. Any changes you make to that field will now be saved and appear when you run the Fee Slip report.
  • We corrected an issue that grayed out the Record and Cancel buttons when transferring charges from a patient to their insurance and the insurance was initially not selected. Now you'll have the option to click Record or Cancel after selecting the insurance if you initially forgot to do so.
  • We fixed an issue that displayed a CPT code in the Attribute tab for items that should be blank. Now, the first selection in the CPT code drop-down will be blank for attributes that shouldn't have a CPT code assigned to them.

  • We corrected an issue that prevented the Production report from pulling the requested dates and respective data. The date ranges you select will display now, ensuring you receive the data that you were seeking.
  • We removed an issue with character limitation that was preventing statements from processing.

ExamWRITER Enhancements

  • We expanded the Product Name field in the Select Contact Lens window and provided tool tips that display the full product name when you hover your cursor over a product. This increased visibility helps ensure you select the correct contact lens so you won't have to re-select later.
  • You can now change the number of contact lenses ExamWRITER displays in a search. This is intended to speed up search results and help you select the appropriate contact lenses more quickly. The default number is 250. This preference is located in OfficeMate Administration > Setup > ExamWRITER > Preferences > General tab > Number of Contact Lenses to Display.
  • You can now document when a patient is using injectable non-insulin anti-diabetic drugs in their patient history, not just in exam history. This addition will appear in all printed exam information.
  • When selecting a Recall or a Schedule, the Ordered By field will automatically populate with the provider assigned to the exam. Previously, the default provider populated in this field.

ExamWRITER Fixed Issues

  • We fixed an issue in the Control Center that prevented filtering by room, allowing you to find patients by the room they are assigned.
  • We corrected an autocoding issue that was occurring in the Glaucoma section. The '< 20%' selection now autocodes to M1223 and the 'Plan of care in place' selection now autocodes to M1224. Previously, the autocoding for these two selections were reversed.

Equipment Interface Enhancements

  • The Topcon CV5000 will now leave phoria values blank in their respective fields in Eyefinity EHR. Previously, it was populating the phoria fields with '0.0' even if the test wasn't performed in an exam.
  • We corrected the following issues that were affecting the Huvitz MRK-3100:
    • The axis fields now auto-populate when data exists for them, so you will no longer have to manually type the values.
    • K-readings now import to the nearest quarter value.
    • PD populates correctly under IPD, rather than RT or LT.
  • We fixed an issue that prevented some prism data from importing correctly from the Marco 5100 phoropter to Eyefinity EHR. Previously, the VPrism Base value for OS only reflected the same value input for OD and mapped to the incorrect tab in Eyefinity EHR when imported.

Regulatory Enhancements

  • We added a new selection for MIPS 2024 to give you the ability to document and promote the requisite measures for the current reporting period.
  • Language in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program exclusion criteria has been updated.
  • The How to Achieve criteria has been updated in the following areas:
    • Syndromic Surveillance Reporting section
    • Public Health Registry Reporting section
    • Clinical Data Registry Reporting section
    • Electronic Case Reporting section
  • The performance period in the How to Achieve criteria for Immunization Registry Reporting has been updated.
  • We updated the MIPS selections to accurately reflect the 2024 measures that have been released.
  • We added the following updated procedure codes for dilated exams:
    • M1220 Dilated retinal exam with interpretation by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or artificial intelligence (AI) with evidence of retinopathy
    • M1221 Dilated retinal exam with interpretation by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or artificial intelligence (AI) without evidence of retinopathy
  • We made the CDA import form easier and more user-friendly with the following improvements:

    • Increased the font size for all text

    • Moved existing Import header to Patient Demographics

    • Patient names are now bold and respective details beneath

    • Added a border between the "Existing " and "Import" frames

    • Placed a check box before the importable item

    • Removed 'Importable' from all right column items, 'Aggregate' section, and 'Load' button

    • Imported patient information displays in red when patient does NOT match

  • To assist in capturing information needed for regulatory purposes, we added pronouns to patient demographics in the following areas:

    • Patient History in ExamWRITER

    • Appointment Scheduler in OfficeMate

    • Home Office

  • To help meet regulatory requirements, we updated the 'Nick Name' field to 'Name to use' in patient demographics in the following areas:

    • Patient History in ExamWRITER

    • Appointment Scheduler in OfficeMate

    • Home Office

ePrescribing Updates

  • Pharmacy messages may be accessed through the main menu on the upper left side of the screen or through the mortar and pestle icon. If you access pharmacy messages through the latter, you must first select the message type text to launch pharmacy messages with that selection. With this enhancement, you will now be able to select anywhere when the message type is highlighted to load the pharmacy messages panel.

  • When stopping a medication that's previously been prescribed from ePrescribing, you now have an option to "also cancel the last prescription for the medication." If you wish to cancel the prescription, you must select this option each time you stop a medication. A new Location level preference has been added for Admins to enable this option by default when you stop a medication. With this preference enabled, stopping a medication will check the box to cancel the last prescription for that medication by default.

    Stop Medication When Enabled:

    Stop Medication When Disabled:

  • The full text of "Create New Rx" will be displayed at all screen widths. Previously, some smaller screen widths abbreviated this to "New Rx".
  • The text in banner messages has been updated to better reflect a summary of the action.
  • A representative brand name will now appear in search results next to the generic name. This will help ensure you select the correct drug, as several drugs have been identified as having near-identical dose form descriptions but having significant therapeutic differences.