New columns have been added to the Patient Portal Communication Inbox. The new columns include the following:

• To: column - Shows recipient information.
• Comments - View internal recipient comments

In addition, the To column has been included in the Drafts, and Archived sub folders.

Although the Category column is not new to the Patient Portal Communications Inbox. The Category column is new to the following subfolders:

• Outbox
• Drafts
• Archived
• Scheduled

The Patient Portal has been updated to allow users to take ownership of messages routed to Distribution list(s) (Workgroups). To take ownership of a message:

1. Double-click to open message
2. Click Accept

Note: Additional options are available when clicking the drop down arrow next to the Accept button. The options include the following; Accept and Reply, Accept and Reassign, and Accept and Mark as Complete.

Messages that have been accepted can be released back to the Distribution list (Workgroup) to allow other users to take ownership of the message. To release a message:

1. Click the Release button.
2. If necessary, document release comments in the Comment section.
3. Click Release.

Note: A History log is kept to track message activity in the Comments window and in the Message window.

Messages must first be accepted before being reassigned. To Reassign a message:

1. Click Reassign
2. Expand the desired routing category (Categories include: Diabetic Supplies, Document Requests, Medical Record Requests, Medication Questions, Other, and Test Results)
3. Select the radio button next to the desired routing group.
4. Free text a brief description in the Message field.
5. Click Reassign

In addition to the ability to Accept, Release, and  Reassign messages. The Patient Portal has been enhanced to allow users to Forward messages without having to accept it.

The Patient Portal has been updated to allow users to write internal notes/comments  to a message. To add a comment:

1. Click Add Comment
2. Free text Note/Comment(s) (Limited to 1000 Characters)
3. Click OK

Note: Messages that have notes/comments attached will have a paper icon in the Comments column of the Message window.

New Status Icons have been added to help identify a messages current status. See chart below for details.

This concludes this Quick Reference Guide on the Patient Portal Enhancements,