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Encounters
Open a service recording for patient interactions and add clinical items, record progress notes, prescribe medications, review investigations, write referrals and manage recalls.
Encounters
Record patient encounters in Communicare using any one of the following methods.
Service Recording
In Communicare, a service is where a patient interacts with a service provider. In general, it means to have a consultation with a health care provider, that is, a Doctor, Nurse, or Healthworker.
Recording a Service
For each patient encounter, record a service.
Record a service by Opening the Clinical Record
Whether or not your health service books appointments, or records waiting times, opening a clinical record starts a service.

Encounters
Open a service recording for patient interactions and add clinical items, record progress notes, prescribe medications, review investigations, write referrals and manage recalls.
- Encounters
  Record patient encounters in Communicare using any one of the following methods.
  - Service Recording
    In Communicare, a service is where a patient interacts with a service provider. In general, it means to have a consultation with a health care provider, that is, a Doctor, Nurse, or Healthworker.
    - Recording a Service
      For each patient encounter, record a service.
      - Record a Service from the Service Recording window
        Record a service from the Service Recording window.
      - Record a service by Opening the Clinical Record
        Whether or not your health service books appointments, or records waiting times, opening a clinical record starts a service.
      - End a Service
        To end a service, close the clinical record and complete the follow up tasks.
      - Record Services for a Previous Day
        If required, you can record services for a previous day for a service provided to a patient by you.
      - Edit Clinical Information for a Service
        If you are the provider who recorded a service, you can edit the clinical information.
    - Recording Telehealth Consultations
      Use one of these encounter modes to record telehealth services.
    - Service Selector
      When you open the clinical record for a patient or add a service recording, and a service has already been provided for that patient today, those services are listed in the Service Selector window.
    - Starting a Service
      Every time you open a clinical record, a service is started. You have the option of keeping the service or not when you close the clinical record.
    - Closing a Clinical Record
      To complete a service, close the clinical record.
    - Changing to a Different Service
      If you were part of a past service, you can edit that service.
    - Service Record
      Use the Service Record window to set the provider and encounter place and mode, record billing details and set any requirements.
    - Service Record Filter Selections
      Use the Service Record Filter Selections window to determine which service records are displayed in the Service Recording window.
    - Service Record status
    - Provider Mode Place Selection
      The Provider, Mode and Place and Program window is displayed when you open a clinical record and Communicare is unable to identify the provider and mode-place for opening the clinical record.
    - Preselecting the Provider
      You can set the Provider, Encounter Place, Encounter Mode and optional Program used for all future services.
    - Medicare Assignment Form
      You can print patient and service details to a Medicare form ready for signing.
    - Workers Compensation
      In WA, record workers compensation interactions using the WorkCover clinical items.
  - Clinical Records
    The clinical record comprises all clinical information recorded for a patient in Communicare by your health service. It includes clinical items and recalls.
  - Intramail
    Use the intramail system to send secure internal electronic messages within Communicare.
- Medications
  This topic covers all Medications Management functionality within Communicare.
- Clinical Support

Record a service by Opening the Clinical Record

Whether or not your health service books appointments, or records waiting times, opening a clinical record starts a service.

To record a patient's arrival in the clinical record:

Click Clinical Record on the main toolbar and select the patient.
If the provider, mode and place (see Preselecting the Provider) are set and there is no other service recorded for the patient today, the clinical record is displayed and the service starts.
If there is a service already recorded today, in the Select Service window:
- If you want to continue an earlier service, select that service and click Yes - Open selected service. If you are an additional provider, your name will be added to the service.
- If this service is clearly another service provided independently of any earlier service, click No - Start new service.
If all the necessary details haven't been provided, in the Provider, Place and Mode selection window:
1. From the Provider list, select your name.
2. From the Place and mode list, select your encounter place and mode.
3. To save these details on this computer, click Remember These Details.
4. Click OK.

In the clinical record, the status bar at the bottom displays details of the current service, including provider.

You can now enter details of your service, such as clinical items, medications and so on.

If you want to change or add providers:

Double-click the current service details.
In the Service Record window, on the Detail tab, select the required providers.
Click Save.

20 May 2026