Signing documents for fax
Sign an incoming fax and send it back or forward it from the Faxes inbox. Learn who can open the inbox, who can sign, and when the signed copy can be saved to a patient's chart.
Use Faxes to review incoming documents, return signed forms, and track the signed copy under Sent. The signing panel shows the fax document beside the sending controls so you can review the document before you apply your signature.
How do I sign and reply to an incoming fax?
In the left sidebar, click Faxes. Open the fax you need to return, then use Edit & Reply from the fax actions. Use Edit & Reply (1) to start a reply, or Forward… (2) to send the fax on to another destination.
- Open the incoming fax in Faxes.
- Select Edit & Reply.
- Review the fax in the document preview.
- Confirm the To destination. Replies start with the number the fax came from.
- Use your stored signature, or draw a signature if the panel asks for one.
- Select Sign & reply.
Ona queues the signed fax and shows it under Sent. If the fax is linked to a patient and the save-a-copy checkbox is selected, the PDF exactly as sent is filed under that patient's Documents.
If the fax is not linked to a patient, the signing panel cannot save the signed copy to a chart. Link the fax to a patient before sending if you want the signed copy filed automatically.
How do I sign and forward a fax?
In the left sidebar, click Faxes. Open the fax you need to send onward, then use Forward… from the fax actions. In the dialog, use To (1) to choose the destination, check Signature (2), place it with Where to sign (3), and select Sign & forward (4) when you're ready.
- Open the fax in Faxes.
- Select Forward….
- Choose a destination in To. You can choose a fax contact, add a new contact, or enter a fax number when the picker offers that option.
- Review the fax in the document preview.
- Use your stored signature, or draw a signature if the panel asks for one.
- Select Sign & forward.
Ona queues the forwarded fax and tracks it under Sent. If signing is turned off for this fax, the button changes to Forward fax and the fax is sent without a signature.
What happens when signatures are required for faxes?
In Settings → Fax & Referrals, open the fax configuration from the left sidebar by clicking Settings (1) at the bottom, then Fax & Referrals (2) in the settings menu.
When your organization requires signatures for outgoing faxes, the signing option stays on in the reply or forward panel. You cannot send the fax from that panel until the signature is ready.
If the signature cannot be applied, the panel shows an error. Fix the signature issue and send again.
What can't I do here?
In Faxes, fax signing and inbox access are limited in these ways:
- Owners, admins and staff can open the Faxes inbox; doctors do not see the full inbox.
- Doctors can sign faxed documents when the signing controls are available to them.
- Staff can open the Faxes inbox, but fax signing is available to owners, admins and doctors.
- Only owners and admins can open Settings → Fax & Referrals.
- A signed copy can be saved to a chart only when the fax is linked to a patient.
- If the organization requires signatures, you cannot send the fax without signing.
Common questions
Can doctors sign faxes?
Yes. Doctors are allowed to sign faxed documents when the signing action is available to them. A doctor who only has the Doctor role does not see the full Faxes inbox.
Can staff sign faxes?
No. Staff can open the Faxes inbox, but fax signing is available to owners, admins and doctors when the signing controls are available.
Can I use my stored signature?
Yes, if your profile has a stored signature. If no stored signature is available, draw your signature before sending.
Where does the signed copy go?
The signed fax appears under Sent. If the original fax is linked to a patient and the save-a-copy checkbox is selected, Ona files the transmitted signed PDF under that patient's Documents.
What if the signed fax sends but does not save to the chart?
In Sent, open the fax and choose Save to chart to try again.
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