New Notes Approval Features in BICS
The BWH Information Systems recently rolled out a series of changes to BICS that will improve its functionality.
The major changes include a new editor feature, a new way addendums are archived and displayed and physician’s ability to go back and sign off on notes that were finalized by the system after 21 days.
“We’re hopeful that these improvements will make for better navigation but also be a time saver for many busy clinicians,” said Kaycee Ruprecht, Quality Assurance coordinator at Partners/BWH Information Systems.
The new editor feature gives the provider the capability to sign multiple BICS notes (op notes or discharge summaries) by entering a BICS key only one time, rather than entering your key to sign each note. To facilitate this function, all documents within the provider’s queues may be accessed, reviewed or edited from the editor.
Another feature allows better viewing of addendums. Now if the attending edits the resident’s signed note, an addendum will be created. The addendum (edited version of the resident’s note) will become the final note and the only note viewable in BICS. Previously, both versions showed in BICS. The resident’s original note will now be archived and accessible by HIS staff upon request.
Finally, providers that sign Discharge Summaries and Operative Notes have a new queue of Notes called “Final, Not Signed.” Notes in the new queues are discharge summaries or operative notes that the system has finalized (unsigned for 21 days or more). The unsigned notes that have been finalized by the system are now available for signature only (cannot be edited) and may have a dictated or typed addendum added. This feature is intended for those times that a clinician may be away and the notes in their queue finalize before they have the opportunity to review and sign.
Detailed instructions can be found at http://handbook.partners.org/content/PDF/BICS_OP_Notes_Discharge_Summary.pdf.
If there are additional questions, contact the IS Helpdesk.