Setup Tab > Default Appointment Status
Default Appointment Status:
There is a preference to have your appointments come in as either confirmed or unconfirmed by default. There is a reminder email setup by default to go out before the patients appointment requesting that they confirm. If they confirm, the appointment status will be changed to confirmed automatically by default.
How it works:
- Go to the Setup Menu > Service Line Setup > select a service line > on the details tab, there is a preference 'Default Appointment Status'
- Select either confirmed or unconfirmed (unconfirmed by default).
- There is a service line preference that you can turn off if you do not wish to have the appointment status automatically updated to confirmed when the patient confirms from their reminder email. (Note: The check mark will still appear with the appointment to signify patient confirmation.)
Why would I want to manage appointment status manually?
This might be the case if you have a reason to contact the patient or double check the appointment details beforehand. Along with the personal touch this offers, it will also trigger the booking staff to call and collect any missed or additional information required. Such as credit card information should you have a billing policy requiring some payment in advance. Searching for unconfirmed appointments from the appointment list view makes this an easy process. Then once you deal with any issues, you can change the status to confirmed manually so you know this one is now good to go. The reminder email will still go out, and you can rely on the check mark to signify patient confirmation.
How to change the appointment status manually:
- Click on the current appt status to open the pop-up window.
- Select the new appt status.
(See Appointment Confirmation and Reminder Emails for more info.)