ThoroughCare's new chart-locking functionality provides practices and users with an additional layer of protection to limit potential duplicated documentation and user effort by limiting access to a patient's chart when someone is already actively working within it.

Users who enter a patient chart when no other users are accessing can navigate through the record and document as they have always been able to do. If one or more users enter the same record while they are still working in it, they will be able to continue without any disruptions.

Users who enter a patient chart while another user is already viewing and documenting in the same record will see a banner at the top of the patient's demographic information upon entry to inform them that the record is already in use, and by what user. While this banner is present the user can continue to navigate and view the entirety of the chart without issue, however, they will be prohibited from making updates or changes to the patient of any kind.

Note: While a chart is in use, users are only restricted from making changes within the chart itself. Users will still be able to make updates to the patient through Calendar and Worklist functionality, including scheduling and logging calls and bulk actions.

If a user is still accessing the patient chart at the time that the initial user exits the record, they will receive a notification that informs them that the screen needs to be refreshed to edit the patient. The user can then click the notification or refresh their browser to unlock the chart, and proceed with any updates they need to make.

If there is more than one user in the chart at the time the initial user exits, all users will receive the same notification. The first user to perform the refresh will gain access to edit the chart, and the banner will update with the new user's name for all others who are still waiting.

Note: If there is ever any issue with the automatic unlocking process or if a user needs to gain immediate access to a patient chart and is not able to get ahold of the initial user, please reach out to ThoroughCare Support for additional assistance.