The February 2023 release introduces a large set of improvements and bug fixes, including the anticipated redesign of the Create Invoice (ON) and Inbox interfaces.

For more information on the latter, please see articles with feature highlights below:

February 2023 Release Notes

Improvements

OSCAR-2032 - Improvement on Editing Referring Practitioner on Consultation Request

Users can now modify the Referring Practitioner of an existing consultation. When this occurs, the user will confirm the creation of a new consultation (so that the previous record can be kept for reference).

OSCAR-4145 - Specialist List Deletes Specialists if List not Left to Load Completely

The "Update these Services Specialists" button used to assign Specialists to Categories remains inaccessible (Grayed out) until the list fully loads.

This helps ensure that the list does not get updated before it has a chance to fully load, and override existing list with missing entries.

OSCAR-4406 - Add autocomplete to the First Nations community field in the master file

The 'First Nation Community' field now includes an autocomplete option. Previously this was a free text field. Clinics who have this field enabled, can search and select a desired value from a predefined list to help avoid user error:

Users also have the ability to Add a new selection, Edit a custom one, or Delete it. To add a custom value for selection, click "Add New":

Custom selections can be edited or deleted using the associated buttons:

OSCAR-4520 - Ability to display only overdue preventions in eChart

A new setting is available to display only preventions that are overdue in eChart.

When enabled, it minimizes the display of prevention items in eChart to the important ones; those that are overdue. In addition, prevention items without a date (record) do not display in eChart.

The setting can be found in Administration > eChart > Display Only Overdue Preventions

OSCAR-4521 - Display separate method of payment in Invoice Report

When running Invoice Reports, clinics can now enable a setting that displays additional Payment Method columns in the report.

When enabled, the following columns will become visible in the report results indicating amount of payment method: CASH, DEBIT, CHEQUE, AMEX, ELECTRONIC, ALTERNATE.

The setting is located under Administration > Billing > Billing Settings > Display Payment Method columns in Invoice Report

OSCAR-4542 - Display selectable custom apconfig tags in Smart Encounter templates

The Smart Letter (Smart Encounter Form) now allows ability to add custom tags configured on the backend of OSCAR. The 'apconfig' section of OSCAR is used within eForms and the Rich Text Letter to insert custom tags from database.

These may differ from clinic to clinic (based on custom configuration), and was not previously available in the Smart Letter.

Their selection is now available alongside other Smart Letter tags on the right hand side.

OSCAR-4560 - Add static provider list (auto generated set) to Prevention Report selection

An additional 'provider' dropdown has been added to the Ontario Prevention Report. Instead of defining Patient Set manually for the report, users can select desired provider from the list which already includes the patient set for the provider based on MRP.

The usage of this field is optional, as previous method for creating and generating a Patient Set is still available.

OSCAR-4580 - Make the 'Save', 'Save and Exit', 'Exit' and 'Print' buttons inactive until page fully load

The Perinatal form has been modified to make the save buttons not functional until the Perinatal Form fully loads. This helps prevent users from overwriting data by doing quick saves that occur before the full form has loaded.

OSCAR-4581 - Add "B" and custom Form icon links in Patient Search

A new setting has been introduced to allow the display of the B shortcut in patient search. When enabled, users can use the B shortcut alongside E, Rx, etc. to create an invoice:

The setting is located under Administration > Billing > Billing Settings > Display "B" Create Invoice link on Patient Search:

In addition, each user can configure their own Preferences to display Form shortcuts under Patient Search as well:

When enabled under Preferences, the Forms selected in the Preference section will appear as shortcuts for the user in the Patient Search section.

OSCAR-4594 - Ability to disable eForm Quick Pick feature under preference

The Default eForm Group Preference introduces a new option to "Display eForm Favourite List upon + Hover in eChart". When the additional option is selected, hovering over + in eForm section of eChart will display a list of eForm favourites.

OSCAR-4620 - Add CareConnect link to eChart in BC build

A new "CareConnect" button is added to eChart. The button duplicates the function currently available for select BC clinics in the Master Record to open the CareConnect interface.

OSCAR-4687 - Include new W3 code in S35 settle function

To accommodate new explanatory codes by the MOH in ON, users can now use the S35 Settle function to settle invoices that contain the W3 code.

OSCARPRO-1183 - Update to Current Drug List Display and Override Feature for Prescribing Multiple Drug

The "Override All" functionality has been added to Pro Rx. This new toggle allows users to edit the fields associated with multiple prescriptions at the same time.

After setting up multiple prescriptions, clicking "Override All" highlights the editable fields in Blue:

Changing the value of one of the fields (eg. "Total Quantity") will set the same value for all other items. In this example, changing the Total Quantity to 30 will set 30 for all other drugs being prescribed.

OSCARPRO-1618 - Improve display of service code descriptions in Pro invoice

Users can choose to display the code descriptions on the Billing Form. When the "View code description" is toggled on, the descriptions display underneath the service code.

Once enabled, the setting will remain on until a user toggles it off.

OSCARPRO-1691 - Display tag in linked providers to identify MRP

If the provider is the MRP in Master Record, an MRP identifier icon is displayed next to provider name. This helps users identify that the provider is the MRP when interacting with the document.

OSCARPRO-1692 - Add extra prompt to confirm removal of MRP from Document in Pro

A new prompt has been introduced in regards to removing MRP from a Document. When a user clicks the X to remove an MRP from document, an additional prompt is displayed asking the user to confirm removal of MRP:

This helps prevent users from accidentally unlinking an important provider from the document.

OSCARPRO-1707 - Add ability to 'paste to encounter' after Renewal Request approval

When sending a Renewal Request via PrescribeIT, users can now select the "& Paste" option. When done, the associated medication will be pasted into the encounter note in eChart.

To utilize this function, users can click the chevron arrow beside "eSign and Send" and select "... & Paste into EMR"

If eChart is not opened, the eChart of the patient will open with an automated note:

If the clinic has the "Paste Rx into encounter by default" enabled, the "eSign, Send & Paste" will display automatically.

The setting can be found under Administration > System Management > Rx Settings > Paste RX into encounter by default

OSCARPRO-1737 - Ability to modify Written Date on prescription output in Pro

The Pro Rx now allows users to select a "Written Date" manually if desired. This allows clinicians to back-date prescriptions for private insurance purposes and/or LU code expiration. When not selected, the date defaults to today.

The Written Date can set by selecting a date in the Calendar icon in the Drug Name row

OSCARPRO-1761 - Include time in Date Received column in Pro Inbox

Users can toggle a setting to control the display of 'time' value in the Received column. This date/time represents when the item was created in the EMR.

This can be enabled by clicking the Gear Icon at the top right, and checkmarking the "Display detailed received time" option.

OSCARPRO-1908 - Add ability to search/filter service codes in Pro Billing History

A new search field has been added to the Pro UI Create Invoice allowing users to search by service code. When a value is entered, only matching service codes will display in the Billing History of the invoice.

OSCARPRO-1911 - Allow faxing of document unassigned to a demographic

Previously in OSCAR, a document needed to be associated with a demographic before the Fax functionality was available. Users can now fax a document regardless of whether it is associated with a patient or not.

OSCARPRO-1930 - Add Annotate function to Pro Inbox

A shortcut to the OSCAR Annotate function has been added to Document and HRM Items.

When clicked, a new window comes up allowing users to write notes associated with the specific Document or HRM.

The content of Annotate will automatically appear as an Encounter Note:

OSCARPRO-1963 - Case Management Note save/sign/fax/bill window opener refresh functionality issue

Numerous improvements regarding refreshing pages in relation to eChart action functions.

OSCARPRO-1986 - Align Inbox action buttons in Lab view with latest back/next button

The improved Pro Inbox includes a 'sticky header' where important buttons used to interact with items are at the top.

One of the functions is ability to using arrows to move back and forth between Documents or Labs

OSCARPRO-2001 - Include HIN warning in Create Invoice

A new icon as been adopted to alert user if HIN is missing or incomplete. The warning shows up if Bill OHIP is selected, but the patient does not have a valid ON HIN.

OSCARPRO-2002 - Pro Create Invoice missing Payment column in Billing History

The Pro Create Invoice now includes a "Payment" column to display the payment value in relation to the invoice.

OSCARPRO-2012 - Introduce Read/Unread distinction for Inbox item

The Pro Inbox now marks unread items with bold text. This helps distinguish which items the user has already opened:

OSCARPRO-1600 - Add ability to assign Dx to specific service codes during invoice creation in Pro

The updated Pro Create Invoice interface allows users to assign a Dx code to every invoice. If not assigned to individual invoice, the main Dx code is assigned (as per previous functionality).

OSCARPRO-1978 - Add Inbox link to echart to display associated documents in preview mode

The eChart now maintains an Inbox link at the top. Clicking the Inbox link displays the documents associated with the specific patient in Preview mode.

This allows clinics to take advantage of the Inbox preview mode, but only display items associated with that patient.

New Features

OSCAR-1563 - Ability to Delete Forms

Users now have the ability delete Forms. Similar to the eForm interface, clicking the Forms label in eChart contains a "Deleted" Action column:

Users can restore deleted forms by clicking Deleted Form and clicking Restore

OSCAR-3267 - Ability to Set Default Encounter Type and Addition of "Video Encounter with Patient"

An additional option is now available under the Encounter Type when saving an Encounter note: "video encounter with client"

Users can set desired default encounter type under Preferences > Set Default Encounter Type

OSCAR-4026 - Smart Encounter Form - Running Header/Footer

The Smart Encounter (Smart Letter) Form now includes ability to set Headers and/or Footers. This allows clinics to create default content used to display on every page of the letter. For example, inserting patient name, dob, or a short disclaimer.

Headers and Footers can be created under Administration > Forms/eForms > Smart Template Form Settings

Headers or Footers can be set as 'default' to all letters, set as a default per Template or selected individually per Smart letter:

The selected footer content will appear at the bottom of every page:

OSCAR-4174 - Automatic Prevention Billing

Clinics now have the ability to associate preventions with billing codes and other billing elements. This allows user to create an invoice faster after a prevention is saved.

Preventions are configured under Administration > Billing > Prevention Billing Settings

After saving a configured prevention in a patients eChart, the Create Invoice screen will automatically load with the pre-configured details for the prevention.

User can modify the invoice as needed and save.

OSCAR-4505 - Ability to configure which provider types display in Consultation

Clinics have the ability to select which Provider Types appear in the Referring Practitioner field in Consultations. Previously, OSCAR was programmed to display only 'doctor' provider type.

The types can be modified by navigating to Administration > System Management > Consultation Settings

OSCARPRO-1438 - eRx Trigger 'Paste into EMR note' to Patient's eChart

When sending a PrescribeIT prescription, users can use the "eSign, Send & Paste option" to send the eRx and add a note in the eChart. This function is accessed by clicking the Chevron next to 'eSign and Send' and selecting "& Paste into EMR"

If the clinic has the "Paste Rx into encounter by default" enabled in Administration, the "eSign, Send & Paste" will display automatically.

The setting can be found under Administration > System Management > Rx Settings > Paste RX into encounter by default

OSCARPRO-1858 - Add 'Acknowledge and Next button' to Documents

A new "Acknowledge and Next" function is now available. When clicked, the existing item is acknowledged, and the next item in Inbox is loaded automatically.

This allows users to acknowledge an item and move on to the next one without having to open another item in the Inbox list.

If applicable, the standard comment box appears before the next item loads.

OSCARPRO-1942 - Allow users to auto label Lab, HRM and Documents via Comment

The new Comment window allows users to label the title of a Document, Lab, or HRM in the same section where comments are added. This allows users to keep clinical data organized easily for future reference without having to enter the items separately.

When a value is entered into the "Document Title of item" field or its HRM/Lab equivalents, the associated item title will display in the eChart

Bugs

OSCAR-3176 - Freehand Signature Does not Save on "Fax & Submit"

Resolves a long standing issue with the Freehand signature function in eForms. Certain eForms were missing code that caused the signature not to display after using the Fax and Submit button.

OSCAR-3275 - OLIS Labs Routing to General Inbox in Addition to Provider/Demographic

Under certain circumstances, OLIS labs that routed to a provider and patient correctly also routed to the General Inbox. This issue is now resolved.

OSCAR-4073 - Valid Health Cards Showing Up When Running "Bulk HCV" From Schedule

Resolves issue where response code 50 was showing up in the Bulk HCV option, despite being a valid health card code.

OSCAR-4287 - Smart Encounter Short Codes Remove Additional Values

Fixes an issue with Smart Encounter Form where adding a Short Code that contains a patient tag would replace all tags with placeholder, instead of just specific ones.

OSCAR-4374 - Pro Eyeform Macro doesn't show the saved visit type

Resolves issue associated with specific Visit Type not displaying correctly when configured within an Eyeform billing macro

OSCAR-4554 - ON Batch Billing - Sorting Function is not Sorting List by Patient Last Name

The ON Batch Billing interface was not sorting Patient Last Name properly in the past. This is now working as intended.

OSCAR-4572 - Some Ticklers showing as 'Null' when sent from the eChart Hot Key (EyeForm3)

Resolves an issue where tickler message displays 'null' when creating a tickler from the Eyeform3 eChart interface.

OSCAR-4574 - Report "Patient Chart List" Returns 500 error

Opening Patient Chart List report no longer results in 500 error.

OSCAR-4590 - Error 500 Printing Smart Encounter With & Character in Tag

Previously when Referring Clinic address contained the & character, the print output would result in 500 error. This issue has been resolved.

OSCAR-4636 - 'Loinc Code only' not displaying any labs

When the Loinc Code Only option is selected, the measurement results based on grouped now display as intended.

OSCAR-4642 - Demographic archiving calls the wrong method

Resolves issue associated with DemographicAdapyer.java file.

OSCAR-4680 - Encounter Date updates erroneously after issue is assigned

Fixes an issue associated with Encounter Date including additional content in CPP items when an issue is assigned.

OSCAR-4719 - Error 500 when saving AR buttons October 2022 build

Resolves issue associated with the AR button shortcuts in Inbox.

OSCAR-4722 - Preference 'Set to Show Patients Date of Birth' results in 500 error

Selectin Set to Show Patient Date of Birth Preference no longer results in 500 error.

OSCAR-4807 - echart notes in wrong order by encounter date

Resolves a race condition associated with saving encounter notes. Issue would occur if note saving was done extremely fast.

OSCARPRO-1447 - Print prescription left margin too slim and may cut off the left of the medication names without adjusting printer option

Certain printers required adjustments to avoid Rx PDF output from being cut off. Left and top margins have been increased to provide more room and resolve the issue.

OSCARPRO-1451 - Pro UI and HCV fail when LOGINTEST (user agreement) enabled

Fixes issue associated with HCV not loading when the LOGINTEST function is enabled.

OSCARPRO-1563 - Billing provider fails to save on multisite invoice when bill type is changed first

Resolves an issue where editing an invoice displays error to user. Issue occurred only after a Billing Type is edited within a multisite configuration.

OSCARPRO-1678 - Reprint prescription buttons disabled when signed by certain providers

Addresses issue occurring for select users where reprinting a previously signed Rx did not allow user to reprint it successfully. In such cases, the buttons are no longer inactive and users can reprint the Rx as needed.

OSCARPRO-1694 - Renewal Request xml errors causing whole page to not load

Workaround for addressing confirmed issue with external pharmacy software in PrescribeIT. Specific software build sent incorrect data causing Renewal Requests not to display in OSCAR.

OSCARPRO-1717 - Auto Flag disabled setting not respected in Pro Inbox

Fixes an issue with the Admin > Labs/Inbox > Auto Flag Setting. The setting now works correctly,

OSCARPRO-1735 - correct status icon fails to display on schedule when using B on after encounter sign

Previously when using a specific workflow to create an invoice, the white background on the icon image to indicate a signed note did not display. This is now resolved.

OSCARPRO-1748 - Alternate Provider fails to auto assign in Pro Inbox

Resolves issue with Alternate Provider field in Master Record not being recognized in Pro inbox, causing the selected provider to not link to document item.

OSCARPRO-1776 - Unable to file document from unclaimed if comment saved first

Fixes an issue where commenting on a document first, prevented user form filing it successfully.

OSCARPRO-1778 - Subsequent 'Action All' use fails to properly update Renewal Request

Resolves an issue where using Action All on Renewal Request multiple times in a row did not work as intended.

OSCARPRO-1801 - RMA not working in PRO Billing

The RMA billing functionality, used by only a handful of clinics was not present in Pro. The associated functionality has been introduced.

OSCARPRO-1887 - Module is not reflected in web page title

Fixes issue where the section being used by user (eg. Inbox) is not reflected in the web page title.

OSCARPRO-1905 - Close button in inbox when opening lab is not working

The 'close" button on labs have been removed from Pro Inbox, users can use the designated X to close out of the window (or Escape key) as needed.

OSCARPRO-1906 - Split documents remains in General Inbox after Acknowledge

Resolves an issue whereby splitting a document can send the document to General Inbox (in addition to provider) when using Pro Inbox

OSCARPRO-1909 - Remit To Billing preference for Other OT fails to populate in Pro UI

Previously, when the Remit TO Billing preference was set for Other OT, the selection failed to populate in Pro UI. This has been resolved.

OSCARPRO-1910 - Selecting 3rd party does not auto-select private form if servicetype_name is not 'PRIVATE'

Addresses issue whereby selecting 3rd party in Create Invoice would not default to correct Billing Form, if the PRIVATE billing form code has been renamed by the clinic.

Security

This release introduces numerous security improvements and fixes based on ongoing penetration testing and security assessments conducted by 3rd party agencies.

In order to prevent the spread and exposure of potential vulnerabilities, the titles and descriptions have been omitted for security reasons.

OSCARPRO-1627 - [redacted]

OSCARPRO-1635 - [redacted]

OSCARPRO-1637 - [redacted]

OSCARPRO-1638 - [redacted]

OSCARPRO-1639 - [redacted]

OSCARPRO-1640 - [redacted]

OSCARPRO-1645 - [redacted]

OSCARPRO-1647 - [redacted]

OSCARPRO-1916 - [redacted]