Shortcut vs Longcut

Some of us like to paste and print out the Care Plan using Notepad. By default Windows placed Notepad program under the Accessories entry. So to open Notepad you have to click Start à All Program à Accessories à Notepad. To make life simple below are some tricks how to make Notepad easily accessible:

1. Create a shortcut of the Notepad onto your desktop. Go to the notepad icon (as above) à right click à click on Create Shorcut à you will find another Notepad icon at the bottom à drag the icon onto your desktop. So next time you want to use Notepad you just find the icon on the desktop. You can also placed the icon onto the Windows taskbar by dragging it to the bottom of the screen.

2. Another way to create shortcut on the desktop: Right-click an open area on the desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut àClick Browse àLocate the program or file to which you want to create a shortcut, click the program or file, click Open, and then click Next. à Type a name for the shortcut. If a Finish button appears at the bottom of the dialog box, click it. If a Next button appears at the bottom of the dialog box, click it, click the icon you want to use for the shortcut, and then click Finish.

3. Another option is to place the Notepad icon in the Start Menu. Go to the Notepad icon à drag it to the Start Menu.

Helpful Tips

* To modify settings for a shortcut, right-click the shortcut, and then click Properties. Settings that can be modified include the key combination used to start the shortcut and whether the program starts minimized, maximized, or normally.

* To delete a shortcut, right-click the shortcut, and then click Delete. Or, you may drag the shortcut to the Recycle Bin. When you delete a shortcut to an object, the original object is not deleted.

* You can also create a shortcut to a printer, you can print documents by dragging the documents to the printer shortcut. The program used to print the document will open briefly and then close

Keyboard vs Mouse

Tired of chasing that running mouse. Try to use the keybord instead:

Use TAB key to move forward from one button, menu or text box.

Use SHIFT + TAB key to move backward.

Use CTRL + Tab key to shift between pre-opened screen/windows in TPC. Eg between Chief complaint to Vital sign screen.

Use ALT + TAB key to shift between pre-opened software in windows. Eg between TPC and Notepad.

Use ALT or F10 Key to select Toolbar

Use ALT+SPACEBAR key to Display the title bar shortcut menu.

Use ALT + C key to copy

Use ALT + X key to cut

Use ALT + V key to paste

Use HOME or END key to Select the first or last command on the menu or submenu.

Use ESC key to Close an open menu. When a submenu is open, close only the submenu.

Use CTRL+Z to Undo the last action.

Enlarge your workspace Part 2

Another way to enlarge your workspace is by manipulating the different windows and rearranges them as you like. TPC software was made using the object oriented language that is Microsoft Visual Basic. Almost all the windows on the screen have special property that is “docking and floating”.

By default all the windows are in a docking state i.e they will be attached to one side of the screen. If you double click the title bar, you will see it turn into the floating state. Lets try double clicking the episode panel and see what happen.(picture 1)

Lets have some fun with these properties. Try to float the ‘Care Plan Reports’ by double clicking it. Then drag it upward until it ‘dock’ to the upper screen. Enlarged any windows below it ( by clicking on the maximise icon at the right upper edge) so there will be only one window visible i.e the one you are working with.(picture 2) By now your working space looks more tidy and pleased to the eye. You can rearranged those windows the way that is convenient for you.

Tips of the week

Problem: One of the irritating problems when using Care Plan is the delay whenever you click on the different items/entry. This is because the program need to recall the form from the server so it will delay for about 30 seconds or more depends on the quality of the connection.

Trick: What I usually do to overcome this problem; After activate the patient and open the Care Plan, I will immediately click on all of the entry that I want use. Eg. Chief compliant, Vital sign, Physical exam. and Prescription. So I safe time waiting for the form to appear.