The Patient Log
Program Updates
Heres the Patient Log program for your handheld. There are 3 versions--1 for Palm 1 for Pocket PC and 1 for Windows desktop (sorry, no Mac). . If you aren't sure which device you have, contact me (most of you will have Palms, I think).
Instructions for Installing.
- For Palm. Use the computer you regularly use to sync your Palm. Get the program. When you are given the choice of what to do, Save it somewhere on your computer. Once downloaded, open the folder on your computer. You should see a program called Log.prc . Double click on it, and it should automatically install to you Palm the next time you Hotsync. Once sync'ed there should be an icon for the program within your directory, just tap on it and the progam should open.
- For Pocket PC. Use the computer you regularly use to sync with your Pocket PC. Get the program. When you are given the choice of what to do, Save it somewhere on your computer. Once downloaded, open the folder on your computer. You should see a program called pt_log.exe . Double click on it, and the installer should start. The program will give you the option of where to install it--the defaults should be fine for most users. Make sure you choose to have it install a shortcut as well. To start the program, go to the Start menu on your device, and look under "programs". there should be a shortcut for the program within the programs directory (its a little quirky, if you have problems, let me know).
- For Windows Desktop. Download the file here. Save it somewhere you'll remember. Unzip the file, exe file (Log.exe) and the program should open properly.
Converting from another program
If you are already using a database, it is possible to convert over to a Handbase format. I can do the final conversion, but you can help by putting whatever list you have into an excel spreadsheet. To keep everything consistent, download this spreadsheet that contains all the proper variables and formatting. Note that there are a number of restrictions in how data can be entered to keep things consistent: the variable choices, and instructions can be found by putting your cursor over each of the variable names on the first line of the spreadsheet. Probably the easiest way to do this is to cut and past whatever you have from another spreadsheet or table into the proper columns, and then edit as needed to get the right wording.
Getting the Database to Us
After you've completed the database, please contact me to arrange a time to get my your log. Transferring it to me is as simple as pointing our PDAs at each other and "beaming" the data.
Exporting the database
For our purposes, "beaming" the log to me via palm is the preferred way to transfer the log. There may be times you might want to export your records into a written format. There are various ways to accomplish this. Here's the simplest:
For Palm users:
- start the program. You should see a screen with a list of all of your patients.
- Click on the "menu" button (one one in the writing area of your palm, bottom left hand square). A toolbar should appear at the top of the screen.
- Click on "actions" if it is not already opened. You should see a drop down list of choices. Pick "export records" you should see a message"exporting to memo pad"
- hotsync your device with your computer.
- Look on you palm program (or Outlook if you sync directly with that). there should be a memo with a name like "Handbase: Patient Log" with a date. It may have been split into several memos depending on the size of your files.
- Send those memos as an attachment to me.
For Pocket PC Users
same thing, except the document will be located somewhere in your Pocket PC My_documents directory the computer (make sure ActiveSync is set to syncronize files). Probably in the main directory.
For Windows users:
from the desktop program, you should be able to export a file, similar to how it is done above. I'm not sure if the program gives you a choice where to save it--if not, it is likely in the "My Document" directory, or somewhere in the program directory. let me know if you have any problems with the above. Again, we need these ASAP. thanks in advance--