This is a detailed verbose description of the diagnosis that may be merged into narrative reports by selecting the appropriate merge field in the SmartPad Template Editor.
The screen for managing diagnosis patterns is accessed by clicking the Patterns button located [1] at the top of the Diagnoses catalog (Tools ► Catalogs ► Diagnoses) window, as seen in Figure 9, or [2] from the lower left in a patient’s Diagnosis window. This second access will be discussed in more detail in the chapter for entering a patient diagnosis.
Ø Defining diagnosis patterns
You may define a diagnosis pattern by clicking the New Pattern button at the lower left corner as seen in Figure 13. A little window will open in which the name of the new pattern is entered. Click OK to add the new pattern name to the list. It will be placed on the list in alphabetical order. Once you have chosen the desired pattern, any diagnoses already associated with this pattern will be displayed in the Diagnoses in selected pattern listbox on the lower box on the left.
Figure 13
Ø Associating diagnoses with diagnosis patterns
To add new diagnoses to the selected pattern, choose the desired diagnosis from the Available Diagnosis listbox and select the left arrow (◄) button. To remove a single diagnosis from the selected pattern, choose the procedure from the Diagnoses in selected pattern listbox and click the right arrow (►) button. For the diagnosis patterns to be effective, you should keep the maximum number of diagnoses in each pattern to 12 or less. More than 12 will make it impractical.
Ø Removing a diagnosis pattern
Should you decide that you want to permanently remove a specific diagnosis pattern, click on the pattern so it is highlighted, and then click on Delete Pattern button at the bottom center of Figure 10. It is appropriate to remove those patterns that you do not use. Diagnosis patterns were created to make it easier and faster to find and enter the correct diagnosis for each patient. If you have too many patterns, especially many that you do not use, you will defeat the purpose of creating diagnosis patterns.