How to Use the Desktop Tab in Practice Mate and EHR 24/7

The Desktop tab is used for inter-office communication and task management and may also connect you to other Office Ally users. This tab is available in both Practice Mate and EHR 24/7. Below you'll find a breakdown of each section within the Desktop tab and how to use them.

Accessing the Desktop Tab

• In EHR 24/7, the Desktop tab is the first screen you land on after logging in.

• In Practice Mate, you’ll need to click the Desktop tab from the top menu after logging in.

Please note: The Desktop tab differs between the two platforms, with an additional section and direct messaging functionality in EHR 24/7.

Desktop Tab Sections

The Desktop tab includes the following sections:

1. Appointments

2. Messages

3. Tasks

4. Routed Documents (EHR 24/7 only)

How to Use Each Section

Appointments

• This section displays a simplified view of the appointments from your Appointments tab.

• You’ll see the patient’s name and appointment time only.

• Use the dropdowns at the top to filter by provider or office.

• Clicking on a patient’s name will open that patient’s chart.

Messages

• Use this area to send messages to others within your organization or to other Office Ally EHR users.

• Message folders are available on the right side (like an email inbox), and you can also add custom folders.

• The message list appears in the center of the section.

• To send a new message:

• Hover over Compose New and select Desktop Message.

• In the “To” section, click Co-workers or Other Contacts to select recipients. You can choose multiple recipients here and in the “CC” section.

• Add a Subject and, if needed, select a Patient ID.

• You can flag the message using the flag icon if needed.

• Type and format your message in the main text field.

• Click Send to deliver the message.

• To read a message, click on the View icon or the message subject.

• Unread messages appear slightly darker than messages you’ve already viewed.

• (EHR 24/7 only) Direct Messaging through Updox, if enabled for a username, can be accessed in the Messages section of the Desktop tab in EHR 24/7. Follow the link here for more information.  Using Direct Messaging in EHR 24/7

Tasks

• Use this section to assign tasks to others or to view tasks assigned to you.

• To create a task:

• Click Add New.

• In the pop-up window, fill out the Subject and Description.

• To assign the task to a patient, click the ellipsis (…) button and search in the pop-up window.

• (EHR only) Once a patient is selected, you can also assign an encounter.

• Set the Status (defaults to "New") and choose a Priority (Low, Medium, High).

• Optionally, set a Due Date.

• In the Assigned To section:

• Choose User to assign to a specific person.

• Choose Role to assign to any user with that staff type.

• Click Update to send the task.

• If a task is assigned to you, it will appear in your Task list.

• Click on the subject to open and update the task.

• Once completed, set the Status to "Complete" to remove it from your list.

Routed Documents (EHR 24/7 Only)

• This section displays documents routed to you by other EHR users—either inside or outside your organization.

• You can view, remove, or (if you have signing privileges) sign off on documents.

• Clicking on the View icon opens the document in a pop-up window.

• The top portion includes document details such as sender comments.

• If the document is from your own practice, the patient’s name will be a clickable link to their chart.

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