Tricks of the Trade: MEDITECH NPR (Client Server 5.6) – Modifying CS Select Screens Using Edit Blocks

By: John Sharpe, President, Comstock Software, Inc.

RL (range list), the select operator in MEDITECH NPR, is changing in CS 5.6.

Configuring a date range using RL before 5.6 required a field (admit.date), the operator (RL), and the prompt (Admit Date).   Execute the report and you’d see something like this:

The same process in CS 5.6 produces the unexpected result below:

Fortunately, the NPR Select Screen is malleable using Edit Blocks.  Those familiar with Process Reports Option 8, will notice differences in the CS 5.6 workflow that follows.

First, change the Prompt in Sorts / Selects to <:>, like this:

"8. Edit Picture" is now "8. Edit Blocks".  Edit Blocks is a graphical interface you’ll be using to position and add text to your Select Screen Elements.

To narrow your select block:
a) Enter N at the Extend Block Row to End prompt
b) Enter Y at the Headers prompt
c) Enter Admit Date and 1 as follows

d) Enter the smallest possible Block Width value, key F9 for a list of possible widths, 33 happens to be the logical choice here

e) Key F12 twice, then: File and Translate

Run the report, and you’ll see the functionality we’re looking for.

You might be saying to yourself: this is going to require a different way of thinking, and I think you’re right.

In the meantime, won't you join your colleagues in asking and answering questions at the MEDITECH Knowledge Exchange?  Thoughts? Email them to John at jsharpe@comstock-software.com.

John Sharpe is President / NPR Consultant at Comstock Software, Inc. Learn more about NPR Report Writing at the MEDITECH NPR Report Writing Blog.