Updates (Novedades)
The Updates module is the historical record of all actions that take place within the clinic. Its primary function is to allow administrative staff to catch up on schedule movements and audit any changes that may raise questions.
What is the Update History?
Updates is a read-only screen that serves as a static consultation record. You cannot modify or delete entries from this log. It is used to review everything that has happened within the system, making it especially useful when:
- Starting a new work shift
- Returning after a weekend or day off
- Investigating a patient complaint or billing question
- Auditing who changed what and when
Information displayed per entry
Each record in the Updates list displays four key pieces of data:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Event | The action that was performed (e.g., Created, Rescheduled, Cancelled) |
| Patient | The patient associated with the appointment |
| Author | Who made the change (a specific staff member or "System" for automated actions) |
| Time | How long ago the action occurred (e.g., "about 1 hour ago") |
Event Types and Filters
To audit effectively, use the event type filters to narrow down what you are looking for. The system tracks the following event types:
| Event Type | What it means |
|---|---|
| Created (Creado) | A new appointment was booked, either by staff or by a patient online |
| Status Changed (Estado cambiado) | An appointment status was updated (e.g., from Pending to Confirmed, or to Arrived) |
| Rescheduled (Reagendado) | An appointment was moved to a different date or time |
| Cancelled (Cancelado) | An appointment was cancelled by staff, patient, or the system |
| Deleted (Eliminado) | An appointment record was permanently removed |
| Note Updated (Nota actualizada) | A note was added or modified on an appointment |
Combine multiple filters to narrow your search. For example, filter by "Cancelled" events in the last 4 hours to quickly see what dropped off the schedule during your absence.
Use Cases for Administrative Staff
Shift handoff
Upon starting an afternoon or evening shift, the incoming administrator can:
- Filter by "Created" and "Cancelled" for the last 4-6 hours.
- Review how the agenda moved while they were away.
- Identify any pending actions that need follow-up (e.g., a patient who cancelled and needs to be rebooked).
This creates a reliable handoff process without requiring verbal briefings between shifts.
Note tracking
If you notice a new note on a patient's appointment (e.g., "Bringing medical order" or "Needs special equipment"), you can check the Updates module to see:
- Who added the note
- When it was added
- Whether it replaced a previous note
This provides accountability and context for clinical preparation.
Incident investigation
When a patient reports a scheduling error or a billing discrepancy, the Updates log provides an immutable trail of every action taken on their appointments. Filter by the patient name to reconstruct the complete timeline.
Best Practices
- Review Updates at the start and end of every shift to maintain continuity across the team.
- Pair Updates review with a calendar check at opening and closing times to catch any drift between what was planned and what actually happened.
- Use date range filters to scope your review appropriately. Reviewing the full history is rarely necessary; focus on the relevant time window.
- Train new staff to use Updates as their primary catch-up tool rather than relying on verbal handoffs, which are prone to gaps.