Observations and vitals

Review and update patient observations from the chart or a visit record. Edit an observation's value and note when the record is not read-only.

Patient chart3 min readUpdated

Open a patient's chart in the left sidebar by clicking Patients, then clicking the patient's name. Use the visit records page when the observation belongs to a visit: in the left sidebar, click Visits, then click the visit and open its records page. Observations are clinical measurements and findings recorded on the patient's chart or on a specific visit. Use the patient chart for the longitudinal record. Vitals appear in the same clinical records area and open inline from the latest-reading strip or its footer.

The patient chart shows clinical record sections with diagnoses, medications, allergies and observations summarized in separate areas.

How do I edit an observation?

Open the patient's chart in the left sidebar by clicking Patients, then clicking the patient's name. If the observation is part of a visit, in the left sidebar, click Visits, then click the visit and open its records page.

Edit an observation when the recorded value or note needs correction.

  1. Open the observation's details.
  2. Select Edit.
  3. Update the observation value.
  4. Update Note if the result needs context.
  5. Select Save changes.

The observation updates in the patient's chart.

What can't I do here?

Observation actions are limited in these ways:

  • Read-only records do not show add or edit actions.
  • You cannot add or edit observations unless you are signed in as a clinic member with access to the chart.
  • Observation values and vitals use unclamped number inputs, and height uses a unit-aware number input.
  • Blood-pressure validation shows field-level error text.
  • When you open vitals, the available fields and labels depend on your organization's vitals settings and unit system.
  • In the vitals sheet, you cannot save until the recorded date is valid. Missing dates and future dates show an error.

Common questions

Can I add a note to an observation?

Yes. Open the patient's chart in the left sidebar by clicking Patients, then clicking the patient's name, and open the clinical records area that contains observations. Open Edit observation, update Note, then select Save changes.

Can I change an observation's value after saving?

Yes, when the record is not read-only. Open the patient's chart in the left sidebar by clicking Patients, then clicking the patient's name, and open the clinical records area that contains observations. Open Edit observation, change the value with the input shown for that observation type, and select Save changes.

Can I change the observation name after saving?

The edit form shown here lets you change the observation value and Note. It does not show a control for changing the observation name.

Why can't I edit an observation?

The chart may be read-only, or you may not be signed in as a clinic member with access to the chart.

Are vitals separate from observations?

Open the patient's chart in the left sidebar by clicking Patients, then clicking the patient's name. Vitals are part of the clinical records area, and you open them inline from the latest-reading strip or its footer. The fields and labels you see depend on your organization's vitals settings and unit system. The sheet also requires a valid recorded date before you can save.

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