We migrated to Vamp Vision in 1995, from a rather simple and
wonderfully robust DOS based system called Medi-pro. In those
days the system and data files for 4000 patients sat in a single
directory and took up < 50mb of hard disk space. You could zip
them up and download the whole system onto a PC at home in 5mins
or so. If there was a software bug the GP who wrote the system
would send a fix on a single floppy by return post - ah sweet
nostalgia!

If I had known Vision then as I do now, I would have done things
very differently. It is a large and complex system which is
flexible enough to let you use it in very different ways. You
need to know where and how you are going to store data before you
start. So:

1. Familiarise yourself firstly with the consultation module. Ask
them to supply you a stand alone version that you can play with
at home. I would recommend at least 1 month before you make
policy decisions.

2. Use the opportunity to draw up data entry protocols for your
practice (be very specific, i.e. what data, who enters it, when,
on what machine, who checks that it is being done properly etc.)
Decide this amongst yourselves at a dedicated practice meeting -
involve everybody. Consider developing your own read code
formulary (they should supply a cut down database of commonly
used codes if you ask).

3. Initially we transferred all our read codes straight into the
medical history section, which was a mistake albeit an aesthetic
one. If you plan to go paperless and use the system in
consultation I would advise using the designated storage areas.
Initially it may be harder to find stuff, but will pay dividends
as you accumulate data.

4. Do not ignore priorities on medical histories. They are
essential and you should use them from day 1. There should be a
mechanism whereby you can decide on priorities for various
diagnoses and for these to be allocated automatically on data
transfer.

5. Talk to Alison Young who is both knowledgeable and sensible.
Do not settle for less! (Hi Alison!!)

I expect things have moved on a lot since we went through the
hoop, but if I told you that this was not a monstrous
undertaking - but I 'd be lying! However, as alluded to by the
Risk oracle in a parallel thread, your pain will be reduced in
direct proportion to the time you invest in preparing the
transfer and the money you set aside for training yourself and
your team.

Good luck! Do let me know I can be of further help.


Laurie Slater
[log in to unmask]


-----Original Message-----
From:	[log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Wilkinson
Sent:	31 October 1998 17:38
To:	[log in to unmask]
Subject:	Meduser/system 2000/ premiere/ to Vamp data conversion

 << File: vcard.vcf >> Has anybody done this? We may well end up
doing it and we need to know
how much it's going to hurt so we can brace ourselves. ( 16
terminal
network on thin-net/novell, used mainly as a big expensive
FP10 ----
hopefully will become paperless supernerd site later).



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