A Group Note is a single clinical note made for multiple procedures for a patient.

In the Chart Module, highlight multiple procedures for the same patient. Right-click and select Group Note.

Alternately, in the Chart Module, select the Group Note button from the Enter Treatment tab.

A Group Note shows in the Progress Notes section of the Chart Module after the last procedure it is attached to; if no procedures are attached it shows based on the Procedure Date field. Group Notes can be created for procedures that have the same patient or created standalone, without any procedures.

The Group Note is stored in the database as a special procedure object.

• The Permission to edit or delete Group Notes is based on the status of attached procedures. If attached to at least one completed procedure, it is controlled by Completed Procedure Edit Note permission. Otherwise it is controlled by TP Procedure Delete.
• The Permission to edit or delete Group Notes not attached to procedures is controlled by the Group Note Edit (other users, signed) permission. Which prevents users from editing Group Notes that were signed by another user.
• Group Note text color in the Progress Notes can be customized in Definitions: Prog Note Colors, Status Existing Current Prov.

Procedure Date: Earliest procedure date of the initially attached procedures. Defaults to today's date if no procedures are attached. Attaching additional procedures to an existing Group Note does not automatically update the Procedure Date. This field can be manually edited.

Date Entry: Read only. Date the Group Note was created. Auto-generates today's date for new Group Notes.

User: The user tied to the Electronic Signature. By default this is the logged-on user. To override, click [...] and enter log on credentials.

Provider: The earliest procedure's provider of the initially attached procedures. Defaults to the patient's Primary Provider if no procedures are attached.

Auto Note: Click to select and complete Auto Notes.

Notes: Enter the Group Note.

Signature/Initials: Electronically sign the note. The signature is connected to the user listed above the Notes area.

• Enable Block procedure note signatures when there are uncompleted auto note prompts in Preferences to prevent users from signing Group Notes with incomplete auto notes.
• Signatures are automatically cleared when changes are made to the Procedure Date, User, or Notes and when adding or removing attached procedures.
• An Alert is generated when a signature is cleared by another user.
• If a signature is cleared by another user without adding a replacement, users are warned when saving the Group Note.

Procedures: The procedures attached to this Group Note. The columns that display can be customized in Display Fields.

Delete: Delete the Group Note.

Add: Click to open the Patient Procedures List and select procedures to attach to the Group Note.

Remove: Detach selected procedures from the Group Note.

Save: Click to keep changes.

Right-Click the text box for additional options.

Aggregate Group Notes

Aggregate Group notes allow users to create a Group Note that combines notes started on individual procedures.

When the preference When creating a Group Note, aggregate procedure notes is enabled and a Group Note is created:

• If a procedure note is signed, the note remains in the procedure and is copied to the Group Note as well.
• If a procedure note is not signed, the note is removed from the procedure but still copied to the Group Note.
• Notes are only aggregated for procedures selected in the Progress Notes area of the Chart Module when creating the Group Note.

See our video: QuickTip: Using Aggregate Procedure Notes.

Invalid Group Notes

Invalid Group Notes are created when Procedure Lock is turned on.

Invalidated Group Notes cannot be edited or deleted. Users can select the same procedures to create a new Group Note.