Overview
Preparing to use Note Assist
Follow the recommended steps in this article before using Note Assist to ensure a smooth experience.Workflow Instructions
Using supported browsers
Use one of the following supported browsers:- Computer/laptop: Firefox, Chrome
- Android devices: Chrome
- iPhones/iPads: Safari
Ensuring patient consent requirements are met
When using Note Assist, you may be subject to laws about recording conversations. These rules vary by location. It’s your responsibility to understand the laws where you practice and get your patient’s consent—ideally before or during their visit. Here’s an example of consent language you can use:| Some state and federal laws require patient consent to use ambient scribing solutions. Today, I’m using a software tool within my electronic health record system to make it easier to write my medical notes. It helps me spend more time focused on your care, and less time on the computer. This tool will listen to our conversation and convert it into a summary, which I will review and edit for accuracy. The tool will have access to the audio of our conversation during our visit, but it will not be saved. Your medical information will stay private and only shared with those you allow. Do you consent to the use of this tool during our visit today and future visits? |
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Preparing your microphone
Click here for instructions on preparing your microphone for recording.Using supported Visit Note Formats
Best supported formats:- Complete H&P Note (2 column)
- Complete H&P Note (2 col-A/P)
Exception: Note Assist will not generate data in the Review of Systems section of any visit note formats at this time.If you manually type any content in the F/U or PE fields, Note Assist may overwrite your content when incorporating new content from the transcription.
- SOAP Note
- Complete H&P Note (1 column)
Using Visit Note Templates
Note Assist works well with Visit Note Templates. Just apply your template at the start of the visit, and Note Assist will fill it in based on what’s said during the appointment. To get the best results, try these tips when setting up your templates:- Ask questions clearly
- Write each question as a separate bullet.
- Use ‘fill-in-the-blanks’
- Use curly brackets**{ }** for blanks you want Note Assist to fill. Add helpful hints or options inside, like (i.e. Patient has a fever: {yes|no})
- Avoid using fixed statements
- Avoid writing fixed statements like ‘Denies visual abnormalities.’ Instead, let Note Assist insert the finding based on what the patient says. (i.e. Visual Abnormalities: {Patient reports visual abnormalities|Patient denies visual abnormalities})
- Protect specific content
- To keep certain text exactly as written (like signatures or standard phrases), add an asterisk (*****) at the beginning of the bullet. Note Assist will not alter these bullets.
Visit Note Template formatting examples
| Elements | Previous Formatting | Recommended Formatting |
|---|---|---|
| Option (including Boolean) | Dosage: ______ Unit: mg or ml | Dosage: ______ Unit:{mg|ml} |
| Does the patient have rugs in the house: Yes or no? | Does the patient have rugs in the house? {Yes|No} | |
| Fill-in-the-blanks (any data type) | Amount of exercise that the patient gets per week: ____ | Amount of exercise that the patient gets per week: {Amount in hours} |
| Name of gynecologist: __________ | Name of gynecologist: {Clinician name} | |
| Number of vaccinations: __________ | Number of vaccinations: {Number} | |
| Multi-select | Recent vaccinations: {COVID, HPV, Flu, Pertussin} | Recent vaccinations: COVID: {Yes|No} • HPV: {Yes|No} • Flu: {Yes|No} • Pertussis: {Yes|No} |
Setting up custom instructions
Custom instructions let you control how Note Assist structures and writes each section of your AI-generated visit note. Use them to tailor the style, format, and content of specific sections—such as the HPI and A&P—to match your preferred documentation approach.Accessing custom instructions
- Navigate to Settings -> AI Personalization.
- Scroll to the Note Assist section, below the custom instructions for Elation AI and Wordsmith.
- Click on a visit note section (e.g., HPI, A&P) to expand it and add your custom instruction.
How custom instructions work
- You can add a custom instruction for each visit note section individually.
- When Note Assist generates your note, it follows your instructions for each section where you’ve provided guidance.
- Sections with a custom instruction will auto-expand in the settings page to show the contents.
- Custom instructions apply to all future Note Assist sessions until you update or remove them.
Custom instructions are available for all Note Assist customers, including both paid and freemium plans, and work with both legacy and Elation Note formats.
Tips for writing effective custom instructions
- Be specific about your preferences (e.g., “Use bullet points instead of paragraphs for the HPI” or “Include a differential diagnosis list in the A&P”).
- Focus on the sections where you most frequently edit Note Assist output.
- You can update your instructions at any time to refine the results.