The Alt Option Key with Unlock Productivity

The Alt (on Windows) and Option (on Mac) keys are incredibly versatile and helpful tools that serve multiple functions across different areas of your system. If you’re trying to boost productivity or simply simplify your workflow, learning how to use these keys can make a big difference.

By holding these keys while pressing other buttons on the keyboard, you can unlock extra options that help you navigate your computer with more efficiency. Whether it’s accessing hidden shortcuts or performing quick actions, the Alt / Option key adds a layer of flexibility to your device.

For instance, pressing the Alt key while using Windows can open up a range of functions like quick task-switching or navigating through menus. On Mac, the Option key offers similar capabilities, depending on the app you’re using.

The possibilities seem endless, and as a user, you can get creative with these keys to discover new tips and tricks that might not be obvious at first glance. Mastering these hidden features can truly enhance your overall experience and provide more control

Appointments

Condensing the Appointment Book

By holding the Alt key and clicking the heading of the Times column, you can hide empty appointment slots and easily view any double bookings side-by-side. This feature helps you quickly organize and manage appointments, making the process more efficient.

Printing the Appointment Book as an Image

To save a copy of the appointment book as an image, simply hold the Alt key while clicking the Printer.png icon. This is particularly useful when you need to quickly email a copy of the appointment book, providing an efficient way to share it with others.

Searching for Appointments by Duration

When using the Next… menu or the Find Again button to search for available appointments, holding the Alt key allows you to specify the duration of the appointment, ensuring there is enough time available for the patient and helping to better manage scheduling.

Opening a User’s Preferences

To access a user’s preferences, hold the Alt key and click their tab at the top of the appointment book to open their User Preferences window. This only works if you are not currently on that user’s tab. You can also select the All tab while holding the Alt key to open All User Preferences.

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Billing/ECLIPSE

Automatically Distribute Funds with the Alt Key

When managing payments or receipts, the Alt key can be a valuable tool to help you quickly distribute funds across multiple items. By holding down the Alt key and clicking the Auto-Fill button, you can easily distribute the available funds proportionally. This is especially helpful when a patient has yet to pay their full amount, and you need to leave a balance on each item to accommodate the outstanding gap. With this simple action, you can save time and ensure everything is accounted for without manually adjusting each entry.

Resetting the Deposit Receipt Message

In Billing > List Deposits, you can reset the deposit receipt message to the default by simply holding down the Alt key and clicking the Edit Receipt Message button. This allows you to easily return to the original message without manually editing it, making the process faster and more efficient.

Quick-Printing Billing Items

The Alt key also comes in handy when you need to print a list of billing items exactly as they appear. By holding the Alt key and clicking the printer Printer.png icon, you can quickly print the list, including all the items shown on the screen.

If you want to narrow down your printout, you can use the MagnifyingGlass.png icon to search or select a specific set of items before printing, ensuring you only print what’s necessary.

Advanced Checking for Remittances

When working in the ECLIPSE window, you may sometimes need to backdate your search to find older remittance advices for claims. By holding down the Alt key and clicking the Get Remittance Advices button, you can access a window that allows you to set a 30-day date range. This helps you quickly check for old remittances, making it easier to retrieve the necessary information.

Patients & demographics

Maintain Proper Capitalization

To prevent Genie from automatically capitalizing names like ‘Macdonald’, especially when the patient spells it without a capital D, hold the Alt key and click elsewhere in the Edit Patient (Demographic) window after typing the name. This ensures that the capitalization is exactly as intended.

Clearing the Usual GP Field

If you need to remove a provider from the Usual GP field, simply hold the Alt key and click the Select… button next to the field. This allows you to clear the Usual GP and select a different one if necessary, making it easier to update patient records.

Managing Interstate WorkCover Certificates

When adding a new WorkCover certificate by clicking the blue plus icon (BluePlus.png), hold the Alt key to select a different state’s certificate. This is particularly helpful when handling a WorkCover claim for an accident or injury that happened in another state.

Clinical

Opening Attachments Outside of Genie

When working with attachments in Genie, you can easily open them in their default application by holding the Alt key and double-clicking the paperclip icon (paperclip.png). This is especially helpful for reviewing scans or images on a second screen while continuing to use Genie.

You can also hold Alt and click on the Image Browser (imagebrowser.png) icon to open the Attachments window, or right-click the attachment and select Open.

Viewing a Patient’s Appointment History

To view a patient’s full appointment history, hold the Alt key and double-click the Next Appt field under the Main/Summary tab in the clinical record. This will open a window showing a list of all the patient’s past and future appointments, as long as the past appointments are still available in the appointment book.

Adding Letterhead to the Operation Record

When working with a procedure record in the patient’s clinical window, hold the Alt key while highlighting the record, and Genie will automatically add the letterhead to the Operation Record (or op report). If there are multiple letterheads available, a window will appear allowing you to select the one you need.

Restoring Recently-Deleted Consults

If a consult record has been deleted by mistake, simply hold the Alt key and click the SmallTrashCan.png icon above the contacts list in the Clinical window. This action will restore the deleted consult record and automatically annotate it to reflect both the deletion and restoration process.

Accessing the QuickList Feature (Prescribing)

When adding a new script to a patient’s record by clicking the blue plus icon (BluePlus.png), hold the Alt key to open the QuickList window. This makes it easy to enter the name of a medication and immediately prescribe it with a single click, streamlining the prescribing process.

Selecting All Scripts

In the prescribing area of the patient’s clinical window, holding the Alt key and clicking the Printer.png icon will automatically tick the Print box for all of the patient’s scripts in the list. This saves time by allowing you to reprint all scripts at once without having to manually tick each box.

Conclusion

The Alt key on Windows and the Option key on Mac are powerful tools that unlock a variety of functions to improve productivity and streamline workflows. By mastering these keys, you can quickly access hidden shortcuts, simplify tasks, and enhance your experience with various applications and systems.

From managing appointments and billing items to controlling user preferences and handling clinical records, the versatility of the Alt/ Option key can save you time and improve the efficiency of daily tasks. Understanding how to use these keys effectively will make your work much easier and more efficient.

FAQs

What does holding the Alt key do in Windows?

In Windows, holding the Alt key while pressing other buttons can unlock various functions such as quick task-switching, navigating through menus, or opening hidden options. It’s a versatile tool for improving productivity.

How can I use the Alt key to simplify appointment management?

You can hold the Alt key to perform several tasks in the appointment book, such as hiding empty slots, printing the appointment book as an image, or searching for appointments by duration. These actions help streamline appointment management.

Can I restore a deleted consult record using the Alt key?

Yes, by holding the Alt key and clicking the SmallTrashCan.png icon in the Clinical window, you can restore a deleted consult record, automatically annotating the record to reflect both the deletion and restoration process.