You are not logged inLog In
Path to Getting Started
Table of Contents
The Path to Getting Started is a sequence of SOAPedia pages that are designed to start with beginners and end with advanced SOAPware users. It is extremely important to either have 2 monitors, or to print the pages, and actually follow along in SOAPware.
If you are using a Desktop PC
If you are using a desktop PC, obtain a monitor card and external monitor.
If you are using a Laptop or Tablet-PC
If you are using a laptop or tablet-PC, almost all have a VGA video port to plug in an external monitor.
If you do not have 2 monitors
At the top of each SOAPedia page is a print button in order to print the page. It is a good idea to obtain a 3-ring binder and a 3-hole punch to keep the pages in sequence. Reprint frequently as the pages are rapidly evolving.
However, we strongly advise the 2 monitor approach as being far more efficient.
Style Guide
A style is gradually being implemented. Action words like , Select, Press, etc. are usually capitalized and the word that receives the action is usually bolded.
Example: SOAPware, and the Chart menu item.
We are also adding underlines to proper nouns such as Chart Rack or Subjective. The yellow highlights in the online version of the Path to Getting Started are the talking points during presentations and workshops. These pages are identified by a Path- at the bottom of pages.
Start on the Path
Partial EMR's will soon have to be replaced or reengineered in order to meet the national criteria for "meaningful use. " SOAPware is unique in that we are about the only EMR that provides a publically available Path demonstrating and explaining how to incorporate a comprehensive EMR. here - Exploring SOAPware. At the bottom of that page, Path (Beginner) -Intro to Chart to go to the next, suggested page.
If you do not have access to a SOAPware install, contact support@soapware.com in order to receive access to a full install (i.e. to obtain an ID and Password in order to log-in to a virtual server)
Videos
Download the Interactive Orientation Training videos! Click Here to Download .
After the download is complete, launch the Orientation.exe file. The program will unzip and the Orientation program will automatically open. The combination of Interactive videos along with adherence to an implementation guideline leads to a successful implementation for about 40% of practices.
Here are 26 Workflow Videos for SOAPware 2008/2010.
Here are 17 Introductory-Overview videos.
Facilitation
This Path - is for the sites who have clinicians who are self-motivated, have strong leadership and have advanced change-management skills. This is the situation in only 20% of practices. Failed implementations, regardless of the EMR vendor involved, are overwhelmingly due to the lack of resources and planning budgeted to implementation. Implementation costs are in addition to the cost of training, software, and hardware. The most common error is to confuse implementation as meaning training. Training is the 1/3rd and implementation is the 2/3rds of the needed resources. This is true with any and all software that is able to create data that can have "meaningful use" within information systems. Few clinicians and/or administrators understand this reality.
Few clinicians and/or administrators plan to fail but many fail to plan. Sites only wanting to ride a bicycle may not need to budget for implementation. But sites wanting to fly, will need to understand that time and resources need to be allocated. (See - The Choice... Ride a Bicycle or Fly an Airplane? )
Budgets for implementation should range from $2,000 to $20,000 per clinician. This is in addition to what is spent on SOAPware and hardware. The go-slow, incremental approach where clinicians do their own set-up and customizations can allow for budgeting toward the low end. The sites where clinicians are told/forced to use the system, and who plan an all-at-once go-live should budget toward the higher end. We do not suggest getting started unless adequate time and capital are available.
Estimating Costs
On-site System Costs
SOAPware $2000 to $5000 (Average - $3000)
Hardware $5000 to $15000 (Average - $6000)
Implementation $2000 to $20,000 (Training = 1/3 of this)
Capital needed to start $10000 to $25000
Hosted System Costs - Outsource the practice's IT system/service
SOAPware $250/month
Internet Connection $200/month
Implementation $1000 to $10,000 (Training = 1/3 of this)
Capital needed to start $3000 to $5000
No less than 60% of practices need active facilitation. We can advise as to where to obtain those services. Many entities are gearing-up to provide these services, and our Implementation and training team can also assist along the way.
SOAPware, Inc. is creating a comprehensive, week-by-week implementation guidethat is close to release. It provides details as to the step-by-step issues that need to be addressed. A majority of practices will likely chose to employ one of our Implemenation Partners in order to most efficiently interpret and follow the guides.
Sites converting from SOAPware v4 have often needed more, not less, guidance with implementation than sites converting from paper.
SOAPware has a tradition of having a very low failure rate with implementations. As we enter into a new era where clinicians need to meet "meaningful use" rules with their EMR, we intend to take a leadership role.
Walk, Ride a Bicycle, or Fly an Airplane
Some clinicians expect that learning/using SOAPware 2010, or an EMR capable of "meaningful use," will be more like riding a bicycle. Besides... clinicians know how to ride a bicycle, and they can hop on just about any bicycle and just ride it. Clinicians also know how to create medical records, so they sometimes expect to be able to just walk up to an advanced, comprehensive EMR and jump right in. They often don’t realize that using more advnaced EMR's is more like jumping into an airplane than jumping onto a bicycle (BTW, SOAPware v4.x was more like a sophisticated bicycle). Once clinicians realize they are shifting to a completely different paradigm, this guide has proven to be a useful flight trainer.
Medical care is increasingly reliant on information technology. Entities seeking to improve medical care, and payers, are flying around in airplanes while most doctors are still walking. Some clinicians have advanced to bicycles but few have the necessary planes. Using SOAPware v4, and most low-cost, "easy to use" electronic record systems is a lot like going from walking to riding a bicycle. This path provides an incremental, step-by-step overview of SOAPware flight-instructions.
Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
All new installs of SOAPware are stongly encouraged to follow our detailed implementation guide. This is available via your chosen source of implementation services.
Path - Exploring SOAPware
