Chart History

Chart History Overview

In OutSmart EMR, every patient visit builds upon the last. Some visits add new information, while others revisit prior details. A patient’s charting history provides continuity and helps guide future treatment plans.

The Chart History preference automatically includes historical information in each new chart, so you always have the patient’s story available without manually opening past charts. This can be turned off if desired on the Chart Settings page. Just look for the preference titled “Do you want to auto-load Chart Histories”.

What is the Chart History?

The Chart History shows the entire record of a patient’s chart notes inside every new chart. this could include only your notes, or it could include all the notes from a patient’s other practitioners if they have shared their charts with you.

Benefits:

• Always see current concerns, products, and diagnoses without opening past charts.
• Product recommendations and diagnoses are carried forward until discontinued or resolved.
• History can be hidden if you want a cleaner charting workspace.

Note

Note: Even if hidden, history items can still actively affect the chart by adding relevant sections (e.g., diagnoses, active products).

Active vs Passive History Items

When you open a new patient chart, both active and passive history items are loaded.

• Passive history items: Provide a view of past information. They appear in the chart but do not affect it unless you choose to update or resolve them.
• Active history items: Carry forward into the current chart, automatically loading information from the previous visit. These items must be acknowledged during each visit.

Note

Note: Only two types of sections load as active history items: Diagnoses and Product Recommendations.

Diagnoses

If Chart History is enabled:

• Diagnoses from past charts automatically appear in the current visit.
• You can leave them unchanged, mark them as Resolved or Improved, or add additional notes.
• This ensures continuity — diagnoses never simply “disappear” between visits and must be acknowledged.

Product Recommendations

If Chart History is enabled:

• Products recommended in previous visits automatically load into the current chart.
• You can discontinue, adjust dosage, or confirm continuation.
• Doing nothing will auto-chart them as ongoing recommendations.

Note

Hint: Passive history lets you quickly acknowledge ongoing concerns (e.g., headaches) without duplicating notes, while active history ensures that critical items like diagnoses and treatments remain current at every visit.

Following Up on a History Item

You can follow up on history items to add new notes or update status.

Examples:

• A patient with “Infertility” listed as a Chief Concern: Add new notes about progress during later visits.
• A diagnosis: Confirm it is still accurate, or mark as Active, Resolved, or Incorrect.
• Products: Continue or discontinue product recommendations.

Note

Hint: Follow-ups build a more complete patient story over time, ensuring continuity of care.

Copying Treatment Protocols from a Previous Chart

The following history sections allow you to copy entire treatment protocols from a past chart into the current one: Injections, IV Therapy and Acupuncture. This allows you to easily chart repeating treatments without having to start from scratch each time. When you copy the protocol from a past visit, you can leave as is or make modifications.

Note

Note: You can still modify copied sections to fit the current visit — this is faster than recreating protocols from scratch.

Toggling the Chart History

You can show or hide the chart history at any time using the Chart History menu in the top toolbar.

• Hiding history removes it from the workspace and the Navigator for a cleaner view.
• Hidden history still influences the chart — active products, diagnoses, or recommendations from previous visits will still auto-create sections for you to address.

Caution

Warning: Hiding history does not disable its effect on the current chart. Always review active sections created from previous visits.

Best Practices & Considerations

• Leverage history for continuity: Use history follow-ups to build the patient’s evolving story across visits.
• Be selective: Hide history when you need focus, but remember it still affects the chart.
• Update statuses: Mark diagnoses and products as Resolved or Discontinued promptly to keep the Medical Summary accurate.
• Save time with copying: Reuse protocols or sections when appropriate, then adjust for the current visit.