Navigating inside of PracticeMaker®

Navigating to each of PracticeMaker®’s modules is very simple. If you’re in 1.Office Startup (a.k.a. Preferences), just click on the Main tab and select the module you want to go to from the buttons!

From anywhere else in PracticeMaker®, it’s also very straightforward. In the upper right corner of just about every screen is the Navigation List, and its related Go button. An example is shown above!

• All you need to do is select a module from the pop-up list and click Go. 
• Once you have navigated to a module the name of the module you were just in appears. For example, if you were in 1.Office Startup and navigated to Patients then Preferences (a.k.a. Office Startup) would appear, as it is above. This way you can quickly go back and forth between two modules with just the click of a button!
• The Navigation List has a modifiable pop-up list of module names (the list will vary depending on what modules are available from your location). If you want to change the list in any module just select Edit... from the bottom. If you add modules make sure the correct name is entered! If you enter a module’s name that is either spelled wrong or not correct you will be beeped when you select that database and then returned to 1.Office Startup (a.k.a. Preferences) since this is where all program preferences are stored! The dialog box below also signals your error (which is why it is very important that all the modules of PracticeMaker® be kept in the same place).

 

 

Really Getting Started

   

Starting the HOST computer

The “ Host ” computer is the ONLY computer that should have all PracticeMaker® files installed on it. These files are kept all together in the PracticeMaker® folder (or directory) as described previously. To make your life a little simpler, you can place an alias or shortcut to it on your desktop, in the Launcher (MacOS) or Start Menu (Windows).

· Double-click on 1.Office Startup.fp3

· Enter your FileMaker Pro password in the dialog box (above left).

· Only a master password can change certain items on several of the screens! There are three levels of passwords:

· Basic – which allows data entry and appointments

· Middle – which allows some more advanced functions

· Administration – which allows all advanced functions.

· At the "About" screen click Continue (or just wait and you will be taken to the login screen)

· At the login screen (above right), select your User ID from the pop-up list and then type in your password below the User’s ID. By doing this, PracticeMaker® can log just about anything a user does, from deleting an invoice to trying to illegally adjust off inventory. When completed click Continue.

· At the dialog above you need to make a selection.

·      Clicking Complete Startup and then Continue opens all files so that others can access them over the network. When all files are open you are left at the main menu of Patients.

Clicking Open Individual Files instead will NOT open all files. Use this option if no one else is going to use the software. Office Startup screens

There are seven main screens to PracticeMaker®. Each can be navigated to by clicking its respective buttons on the right side of the screen.

 

Main

After “logging on” to a workstation that already has PracticeMaker® running, this the first screen you get.

 

Note the Log-Off button on the lower right section of the screen. When you want to sign-off the computer, but not quit the whole program, just click this button (or any similar button on several other screens). This locks the software on this computer until someone logs back in. Changing the user does NOT change the security level used to initially open the software on this computer!

To change the security level of PracticeMaker®, the program must be quit and then restarted! If you need to do this from a workstation, hold down the Option key (shift key on Windows) after double clicking on PracticeMaker Client and enter your highest level FileMaker Pro password at the password dialog. Then logon as usual with your PracticeMaker® password.

 

Quitting PracticeMaker®

When it is time to quit PracticeMaker® please DO NOT quit using keyboard commands. It is best to return to the Main Menu screens of Patients, Billing, or Preferences and click Quit. This will perform a controlled close of PracticeMaker® modules. If you use keyboard commands, you may experience closing and re-opening of databases!

Setup

This screen has the demographics about the user of PracticeMaker®.

User

This lets you know who logged onto PracticeMaker® from this workstation.

Serial Number

Each working version of PracticeMaker® has its own unique serial number. You will need to know this serial number when calling for support. This serial number is used throughout PracticeMaker® to insure database integrity. If the serial number shown here does not match the serial number of your electronic claims modules (specifically ECS Control) you will not be able to process claims!

Practice Information

·      Licensed to – The person at the practice to whom PracticeMaker® is licensed.

·      Licensed Practice – The name of the practice.

·      Licensed Address – The address of the practice.

·      Z, C, St – The zip/postal code, city, and state/province of the practice.

·      Phone Number, Fax number, and Area Code are self-explanatory (and can be modified).

·      Tax ID should be filled with the tax ID number to be used by your office (modifiable).

·      ID Type – Select EIN if this is an “Employer Identification Number” or select SSN if you are using your “Social Security Number” (modifiable).

·      Group – If this is selected, this address will be used for billing purposes.

Feature Switches

·      Ask for Recalls - If you always want to be prompted to enter recall or next appointment information, select Yes.

·      Always small screen means that even with your screen set to 800x600, you will only get screens the size of 640x480 (The only exception is Appointments, which enlarges to the larger of the two resolutions).

·      Version for selects if the software is to be used by one of the listed specialties. At present eye care, dental or podiatry has extra features.

·      Electronic record selects which medical records program you wish to link with.

Software Components

·      If your software came with Appointments Yes will be selected.

·      If your software uses Electronic Claims, Yes will be selected.

·      If your software came with the Letters Module Yes will be selected. If you click the checkbox, you will be reminded to write letters.

·      If your software came with the Prescriptions Module Yes will be selected.

·      Electronic Records – If you will be linking with another program to maintain electronic records (i.e.: Chart Wizard or PowerMed), select it from the popup list. In the Patients module. You can then click on the EMR button to link that patient’s PracticeMaker® record with his/her electronic medical record (user modifiable).

·      Maximum users – The number of people who can be logged onto PracticeMaker® at the same time.

·      Maximum users establish the maximum licensed users for your software.