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Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ page). Below, I have tried to answer the most common questions NGenWriter™ users may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please E-mail us.
1. What is NGenWriter™?
2. I can’t type or use Graffiti®. What do you mean by “requiring No typing”?
3. What kind of hardware do I need to use NGenWriter?
4. How secure is my encounter data and where is it saved?
5. How often should I “synchronize” my data with my PDA? Can I accomplish this task wirelessly?
6. I have my own approach to writing the SOAP note. How do I customize my installation to use my own words?
7. Can NGenWriter™ automatically estimate a CPT® code and record my daily encounter charges?
1) What is NGenWriter?:
NGenWriter™ is a comprehensive and customizable Electronic Medical Record (EMR) for Palm Pilot (and clone) PDAs requiring NO typing. In its fully configured version, NGenWriter™ contains:
 1) a Medical Encounter Note Generator with an integrated Dictation and Transcription system
2) a Scheduler integrated with the Palm Schedule software
3) a CPT® Charge Calculator based on data from your encounter note.
NGenWriter™ is scalable from a single user to thousands and in its Network Configuration employs standard SQL databases.
2) I can’t type or use Graffiti®. What do you mean by “requiring No typing”?
NGenWriter™ uses an innovative method to record your encounter that was developed for a highly rated Windows-based EMR: Q.D. Clinical. A user simply taps on logical choices contained in phrases, macros, and lists to create a relevant narrative. It is similar to the method that we use to build our written text. At key branch points NGenWriter™ presents the appropriate choices. One can branch to many levels to complete a thought. Q.D. users were able to record 30 to 40 full office visits per day using this technique. We have thousands of phrases, lists, and macros that have been developed for a variety of clinical situations and if these don’t work for you, build your own!
3) What kind of hardware to I need to use NGenWriter?
You need to have a Palm Pilot or similar device that runs on the Palm Operating Service. You must have at least 550K of free storage to load the programs and about 500 bytes for each new patient encounter that you enter. To see additional information regarding requirements and hardware, visit the Requirements page.
4) How secure is my encounter data and where is it saved and backed up?
You must enter a password to access your data on your Palm. We also recommend a Power On Security program such as One-Touch to add an additional level of security. The single-user NGenWriter™ data is saved on the Palm and is backed up to your desktop in the NGen Palm directory. The Network NGenWriter™ data is saved on the Palm and backed up on your desktop to a Microsoft Access™ database.
5) How often should I “synchronize” my data with my PDA? Can I accomplish this task wirelessly?
The frequency of synchronization depends upon how often you use your PDA and the nature of the data that you are saving on the PDA. NGen Data should be synchronized daily, and generally at the end of the day after you have completed entry of your encounters.
You may synchronize wirelessly depending upon your PDA. Palm sells a wireless modem and this works reasonably well. The Handera and Handspring have wireless card options that permit wireless synchronization via the 80211.b wireless protocol. Palm and Sony both have “Bluetooth” card options that allow you to synchronize over short distances (10 yards or less).
6) I have my own style for writing a SOAP note. How do I customize my installation to use my own words?
We will create a customized set of phrases, macros, and lists for you if you will complete the Productivity Pack Template on the commercial site. You should first review the document entitled Appendix which is available for download on the Downloads page. This will provide a broad overview of phrases, lists, and macros and allow you to integrate your language with existing material.
7) Can NGenWriter™ record my daily encounter charges?
NGenWriter™ estimates the correct CPT® charge code based on the encounter note that you have completed. This model looks at the various criteria for record Extent of History and Exam plus Complexity and “suggests” a code. The algorithms that create the estimates may be modified according to your own work preferences and “real-world” model.
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
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